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Message: <blockquote data-quote="s. james" data-source="post: 1519893" data-attributes="member: 21133">Probably not obscure at all, I just don't get out much.<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />Don't think I was doing it tho. The questions were...Water voles: declining in GB, why not introduce them to Ireland were there is loads of ample habitat? (... and introduced small mammals have actually had a beneficial effect in the past)Great-Spotted Woodpeckers: currently colonising Ireland and have been (largely) welcomed but there are (unsubstantiated) rumours that they were introduced. If they were introduced would this change attitudes overnight and would they have to be culled?Rhododendron: Now found to be native to British Isles, should it be protected?Rabbits: Beneficial for biodiversity in sand-dune and machair habitats in the west of Ireland. Should they be removed simply because they're non-native?Apart from the rhododendron one I don't think any of these are pushing logic to ridiculous extremes. Admitedly the water vole and gsw ones are hypothetical but sure...I'd be interested in what people think. For me introducing water voles would be no bad thing, gsw are welcome wether natural colonisers or introduced, rhododendron is invasive and prevents natural succession in woodlands so should be kept to a low population and rabbits are excellent naturalistic grazers.</blockquote>

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