HC Deb 07 May 1985 vol 78 cc378-80W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many licences he has issued in (a) 1984 and (b) so far in 1985 to kill birds under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act; and if he will indicate in each case the species of bird involved, the number allowed to be killed, the location and the reason.

Mr. John MacKay

Details of licences issued by my right hon. Friend in 1984 and so far in 1985, for the killing of wild birds under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are set out in the following tables.

Species Number of licences Number of birds killed Location
Cormorants, Mergansers and Goosanders 10 C 367 Loch Maree, South Esk, Spey and Findhorn, Tay, Ythan,
M 129 Shin
G 157
Cormorants and Mergansers 1 C 14 Brora
M 45
Mergansers and Goosanders 17 M 139 Doon, South Esk, Spey and Findhorn, Annan, Awe, Tay,
G 223 Shin, Dee (Aberdeenshire), Don, Ness
Herons 6 44 Dumfries and Galloway, Highland and Tayside*
1985 (to date)
Mergansers 2 Laggan and Duich, Brora
Cormorants 20 Lochailort, Doon, Laggan and Duich, Brora, South Esk, Nairn, Annan, Awe, Tay, Tweed
Cormorants, Mergansers and Goosanders 2 Spey and Findhorn, Naver
Mergansers and Goosanders 18 South Esk, Spey and Findhorn, Annan, Awe, Tay, Tweed, Dee (Aberdeenshire), Nith
* Location by administrative Region.
Not yet known.

Licences issued for preserving public health and prevention of serious damage to crops
All Scotland figures
Species Prohibited method Number of licences Number of birds taken Reason
1984
Feral Pigeons and House Sparrows Stupefying bait 110 *2,173 Preserving public health
House Sparrows Mist netting 25 *136 Preserving public health
Feral Pigeons, House Sparrows, Starlings Artificial light 4 n/a Preserving public health
Barnacle Geese n/a 9 38 Prevention of serious
26 damage to crops
Greylag and Pink Footed Geese n/a 28 158 Prevention of serious
44 damage to crops
Greylag and Canada Geese n/a 1 4 Prevention of serious
1 damage to crops
Canada Geese n/a 1 Prevention of serious
damage to crops
1985
Feral Pigeons and House Sparrows Stupefying bait 72 ‡n/a Preserving public health
House Sparrows Mist netting 23 ‡n/a Preserving public health
Barnacle Geese n/a 8 ‡n/a Prevention of serious damage to crops
Greylag and Pink Footed Geese n/a 51 ‡n/a Prevention of serious damage to crops
* Provisional.
† 1983–84 season.
‡ 1984–85 season. Returns not yet available.

Licences issued by SHHD
Species Number of licences Number of birds killed Location Reason
1984
Oystercatcher, Black-headed gull, Common gull, Crow, Collared dove, Great Black-backed gull, Lesser Black-backed gull, Herring gull, Jackdaw, Jay, Magpie, Feral Pigeon, Rook, House Sparrow, Starling, Wood Pigeon, Lapwing or their nests or eggs. 1 General 28 eggs destroyed 14 nests destroyed 98 birds killed Airfields For the preservation of air safety
Thrush and Blackbird 2 14 Blackbirds Hamilton, Motherwell, and East Kilbride Killing for quarry
Gannets 1 2,000 Sula Sgeir Provision of food for human consumption
Greylag Geese 4 2 Specially protected breeding site Caithness To prevent serious damage to crops
1985
Greylag Geese 5 Not yet known Specially protected breeding site Caithness To prevent serious damage to crop

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