Comments for Because they're there...

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by McEff

McEff — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:24:03 +0000

Thanks for that, Danny. That’s interesting reading. What is also interesting is the way the statistics have been inflated to give a false impression of the numbers of pheasant chicks being taken – which is something I’ve suspected for a long time. These people couldn’t lie straight in bed.
Cheers, Alen.

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by qdant

qdant — Sun, 27 May 2012 08:59:39 +0000

The vested interests of Richard Benyon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, have already been under scrutiny recently. Benyon, a shooter himself who owns a £125 million 20,000 acre estate on the Berkshire/Hampshire border, was publicly exposed over his department’s attempts to cover up £2 million his estate received in EU subsidies. Now it seems that he is prepared to rubber stamp public funds in support of private shooting estates, and threaten the country’s natural heritage in favour of non-native species and a minority interest which many find distasteful.
http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/channel/newsitem.asp?c=11&cate=__12163

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by McEff

McEff — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:59:58 +0000

Hi David. You’ve touched on something that I’ve considered looking into but feel I don’t have the necessary skills – the value to the rural economy of these multi-million-pound businesses that run our grouse moors and pheasant shoots. I’ve seen numerous quotes over the years for certain moors generating so many millions for the local economy, and blood sports (their proper name before the PR people got in) in general being worth billions to the national economy – but how much of that cash actually gets into general circulation?
Is it all pumped back into the countryside and wage packets, or by the “rural economy” do they mean the coffers of the various companies and their subsidiaries that manage the upland areas for game shooting?
Defra’s proposals were based on a poll of gamekeepers in which 76 per cent said that buzzards should be killed. How many gamekeepers does an estate employ? There aren’t settlements full of gamekeepers like there are towns full of factory workers who recycle their wages back into the economy. So other than paying a few gamekeepers, a handful of beaters employed periodically on the minimum wage, a scattering of estate workers, and generating custom for a few hotels, where are all these millions of pounds going? It’s not being invested in affordable housing to keep the young in the countryside – but I wouldn’t mind betting that the lion’s share is channelled into accounts where the taxman’s torch doesn’t shine very often.
Anyway, glad to hear you had a fine walk. The sun’s still shining so things aren’t all that bad.
Cheers now, Alen

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by David

David — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:00:08 +0000

I have just got back from few hours photography in Upper Teesdale Alen. I was up there at 5.00am and watched the sun come up and at times simply sat there soaking up the atmosphere of our wonderful countryside. I saw a single Buzzard as well as Rabbit, Lapwing, Redshank, Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Kingfisher, Dipper etc, along with all kinds of rare flowers. In such surroundings it was easy to feel the troubles of the world slip away. Who could not be moved by the countryside waking up on a summer morning. I then come back to hear about this and it really gets my back up.

These fools always roll out the same old argument about rural jobs, but one thing the foot and mouth epidemic taught us was that tourism in all its forms (walking, wildlife watching etc) brings in a far greater income. It also spreads this income across a broader cross section of our society as well.

Of course there needs to be a balance for everyone to lead the lifestyle of their choice, even if it seems abhorrent to some of us, but destroying avian predators because they pose a threat to one small group of well of individuals in our society is wrong. I would agree that in some areas populations of avian predators are abnormally high because of feeding to attract tourists. This perhaps needs addressing so that birds are forced to disperse to keep a more natural balance.

To be blunt our natural heritage is not safe in the hands of the corrupt and self-serving individuals that pass for politicians nowadays and it is certainly not safe in the hands of those that lobby, fund and enjoy a tipple or two down at the old pals club with them. Yes we do need a cull but we are looking at the wrong species.

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by McEff

McEff — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:58:16 +0000

Hello Mrs Potter. Thank you for that. I haven’t had a good rant for a long time, but the buzzard story really caught a nerve. I’ve been thinking about it all morning, and it’s not just that the buzzards are being threatened, or that the big shooting interests are trying to get one over on us, it’s the fact that a government department – a department that is supposed to represent us and protect the environment – has the audacity to come up with such outrageous proposals. Anyway, time for a cup of tea.
Cheers, Alen

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by McEff

McEff — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:48:56 +0000

Greg, if you were half asleep when you heard the buzzard news then you’d certainly woken up by the time your comment landed at 6:43am.
Elf and safety? I get the impression that if Richard Littlejohn’s car broke down outside your house you wouldn’t invite him in for a cup of tea. Neither would I. Obnoxious man. People in the press who bang on about elf and safety are usually the types who have never done anything more dangerous than be punted down the Cam or eaten a green apple. We should reopen a few collieries purely to force the sods down there for a shift at the face.
And you’re right about the drip-drip of half-truths. There are millions of people in this country who think human rights are something extravagant and Continental. Presumably they are quite happy to live in servitude and have their lives dictated by governments and big corporations. Because that’s what’s going to happen if we’re not careful, and the buzzard thing is an example of that controlling attitude at work.
Hope you have a more peaceful breakfast tomorrow. Cheers, Alen

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by McEff

McEff — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:29:12 +0000

Hi John. The furthest north I’ve seen the Echo on sale is Seahouses, which by my geographical reckoning is a long way south of Aberdeen. Too far to nip, even for day trip. But the Independent is carrying the same PA version here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/rspb-voices-shock-at-buzzard-plans-7784548.html
Cheers, Alen

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by McEff

McEff — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:20:00 +0000

Ha ha. It’s too early in the day to attempt that, Diane. There’s a British version that goes: I’m not a pheasant-plucker I’m a pheasant-plucker’s son, I’m only plucking pheasants till the pheasant-plucking’s done. I think yours has the edge because it’s got the added “mother” element.
Cheers, Alen

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by rthepotter

rthepotter — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:01:43 +0000

I’m speechless … so it’s a good thing for the buzzards (and us) that you aren’t.

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by Greg.

Greg. — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:43:37 +0000

Half asleep and heard the news on Radio Cumbria (alarm radio) couldn’t believe what i was hearing. When I was a boy buzzards were rare around Tebay but now I see them everywhere.
They are a beautiful sight soaring on thermals, often being attacked by crows, and I always stop and watch the drama.
As I get older it saddens me to realise just how easily people are duped by propaganda ….half truths and ridicule fed daily to people does seem to work. I listen to ordinary workers every day twining about health and safety (elf an safety) when presumably these laws are what is stopping them losing bits of body parts on moving machinery. I heard something the other day about the working time directive. apparently we dont need it as it stops people working long hours. No kidding, and having to work long hours is a good thing? And dont get me on about the shite they have spread about global warming….bent bananas……human rights legislation…..

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by jcmurray1

jcmurray1 — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:58:41 +0000

Says it all Alen – made me feel like shouting “hear, hear”. Must be the politician in me trying to get out. Where can I get a copy of the Northern Echo in Aberdeen?!!…………

Comment on Feet First: I’m Not a Pheasant Plucker . . . by Diane Pinkers

Diane Pinkers — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:38:21 +0000

A good rant on a serious topic. It looks like America’s not the only place where the little guy is getting squeezed. On a more humorous note, your comment about pheasant pluckers reminded me of a tongue-twister I learned from a theater major for proper enuciation: I am a pheasant plucker. I pluck mother pheasants. I am the most pleasant mother pheasant plucker to ever pluck a mother pheasant. Go on, say it fast, I dare ya!