Culling corvids
Firstly, while it is true to say, as Mr Robins (5 March) does, that corvids and ground nesting birds have long existed together, the balance has changed.
As a result of demands from an ever growing human population, we have created an environment with an artificially high corvid population.
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Hide AdWith their populations supported by a mass of scavenged food from the likes of roadsides, dumps and even bird tables, they are able to put an artificially high pressure on declining species such as lapwings and curlews.
Secondly, the use of Larsen traps is highly regulated in Scotland, so as to ensure that it is both humane and effective.
Against this background, the responsible approach on the part of man is to try to redress the balance that he has upset. Anything less constitutes a careless approach to our wildlife.
Mike Swan
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Fordingbridge
Hampshire