I've just come across a load of men trying to shoot Mallards on Tapenhall pool. They say they are entitled to shoot them under a 'general license' ( if, indeed, they actually have one). Does anyone on here know the legal position? If it is deemed illegal, who would be the best people to report it to? BTW I have no objection to them shooting specially reared quarry such as Partridge or Pheasants or potential pests such as crows / pigeons but this seems unnecessary to me. Thanks in advance.
Woodchat
There was a huge uproar about 'general licences' a couple of years back, Wild justice headed up by Chris Packham, Mark Avery (ex big wig at RSPB) and Ruth Tingay launched a legal challenge to DEFRA on the matter. In essence if you 'wanted/needed' to shoot/control 'pest' bird species (there is select list) you could do it under the provision of a 'general licence' that you did not have to apply for or sign up to. Technically you had to prove (in your own mind and convince yourself) that you had explored other non lethal control methods and the birds were causing damage or were a risk to human health. It caused quite a bit of upset particularly on protected sites (grouse moors especially where control of carrion is very intensive). DEFRA looked at it and basically not a lot changed apart from the wording. Mallard most definitely is not listed under a general licence
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bird-licences but it is listed as quarry species under schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(WCA) so it can be shot from Sept to Jan. The general licence is irrelevant in this instance and it goes to show how ill infirmed those are doing the shooting, I suspect if they don't understand what is listed they really won't understand its conditions of use.
Further to this Wild Justice launched a more recent challenge against the un regulated release of gamebirds, there really is no restriction or limit on this. I believe more controls are being put in place and certainly in and around former European (internationally important) Wildlife sites (SACs and SPAs) (yes they will continue to exist next month but we will call them 'National sites' (and retain the SAC and SPA titles)) there will be much stricter assessment and permitting (there has been evidence of damage from gamebirds of ground flora in important woodlands and studies on the Malvern hills show pheasants impact upon the reptile populations).
Incidentally, did you know where our nearest 'Internationally' important wildlife site is? Upton Warren, Nah!, Shrawley Wood, Nah!, Malvern Hills, nah!
Go up the steps beside the big Tesco at Warndon village and visit the pond, the one with the trolleys and carrier bags in it, that'll be the Lypard Grange ponds SSSI/SAC site that will! Peak count of Great Crested newts of 180 in two massive ponds. However, nice little pond by entrance to Salwarpe Court had a peak count of 118 a few years back and it has no trolleys!.
