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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mark Newsome" data-source="post: 1719565" data-attributes="member: 7415">Having been to see the BNG in question, my personal opinion is that there was little danger to the bird here. The site is a suburban lake, surrounded by a sports centre, artificial ski slope, McDonalds, tower blocks grassy areas - popular with duck feeders and families. Absolutely no chance of any breeding attempt here, just a passing local scarcity. OK, there has been problems here in the past with dogs attacking swans, local yobs etc. But I would be very surprised if a BNG was shot in such a public area purely to p*** off those enjoying it. Maybe I'm being niave as to the chances of drive-by wildlife shooting in suburban Sunderland, dunno?! When I was there, all I saw were passers-by genuinely interested in the 'rare bird', and a good few visiting birders thoroughly enjoying it. Good vibes all round. True, the bird came near the edge on occasions, but much of its time was diving for food further out; it certainly wasn't in a position where someone could grab it or a dog could chew it up. As to the supression side, those concerned have to make their choice and deal with it. But I think that supression as a result of petty local squabbles can do much more harm than good to relationships with birders in the rest of the county/nationally. I presume the same locals would have kept the Baillon's Crake in Sunderland quiet (at an even smaller pond just a couple of miles from the grebe), as it was so tame and 'at risk from the public'? If the scarcity level is down as far as Black-necked Grebe on a town pond (attempted supression for 'protection' purposes), then there will always be some excuse available to keep news of other local scarcities/rarities within a tight group of friends. I do accept that there can be circumstances when a scarce/rare bird needs to be kept quiet, just don't see this as one of them.Again on a personal level, if things degenerate and the threats of more supression come true, I just hope the same people don't come rushing to see the rarities that myself and other South Tyneside patch workers find and make great efforts to get news out immeditately (eg recent Bluetail, Is Shrike, numerous Greenish, Booted, Woodchat, Blyth's Reed etc etc - news released within minutes and well appreciated by visitors).</blockquote>

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