Sunday February 19, 2012, 2:03 pm
http://legalaction4animalrights.net/2012/02/15/save-the-windermere-geese/

Facts: The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has decided to shoot 200 Canada geese during the nesting season. Its reasons are thoroughly unconvincing.

For detailed information on why the proposed "cull" is unethical and unjustified, please read the FACTSHEET here http://www.animalaid.org.uk/images/pdf/factfiles/Windermerefactsheet.pdf

To TAKE ACTION, you can:

1. contact the LDNPA: http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/aboutus/contact_us/contact-us-form;

2. email the local MP, Tim Farron: ;

3. contact the local councillors and urge them to stop this cull:
janebarker@lakedistrict.gov.uk
bill.barr@lakedistrict.gov.uk
chris.billinge@lakedistrict.gov.uk
hugh.branney@lakedistrict.gov.uk
jonathan.brook@lakedistrict.gov.uk
sue.brown@lakedistrict.gov.uk
norman.clarkson@lakedistrict.gov.uk
stan.collins@lakedistrict.gov.uk
judith.cooke@lakedistrict.gov.uk
sarah.fletcher@lakedistrict.gov.uk
david.foot@lakedistrict.gov.uk
bryan.gray@lakedistrict.gov.uk
d.anne.hall@lakedistrict.gov.uk
john.hayton@lakedistrict.gov.uk
joe.holliday@lakedistrict.gov.uk
bill.jefferson@lakedistrict.gov.uk
thomas.lowther@lakedistrict.gov.uk
michael.mckinley@lakedistrict.gov.uk
vivienne.rees@lakedistrict.gov.uk
cam.ross@lakedistrict.gov.uk
john.thompson@lakedistrict.gov.uk

Sunday February 19, 2012, 2:05 pm
To point 2.: tim@timfarron.co.uk

Sunday February 19, 2012, 2:08 pm
Thank you !

Sunday February 19, 2012, 4:04 pm
signed thnx

Sunday February 19, 2012, 4:57 pm
Thank you for posting this Sylvie. I found the petition for this on Change the other day and signed. Here is the link also to that petiton if people can not find it inside.

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-cull-of-geese-in-windermere-this-spring-please-do-not-allow-the-mass-geese-slaughter-in-windermere

Sunday February 19, 2012, 5:16 pm
Thanks a lot, Constance. CONSTANCE mentions THE LINK TO THE PETITION (SEE ABOVE).

Sunday February 19, 2012, 5:17 pm
gladly signed. geese are so lovely and peaceful.

Sunday February 19, 2012, 5:20 pm
Signed and noted, ty

Monday February 20, 2012, 12:41 am
Thanks for sharing.

Monday February 20, 2012, 2:33 am
+

Monday February 20, 2012, 5:50 am
Noted and signed! Thanks!

Monday February 20, 2012, 10:19 am
Signed, emails sent to all councillors and MP, message sent to LDNPA and noted, thanks Sylvie.

Monday February 20, 2012, 10:28 am
One of the email addresses is incorrect, it didn't look right

Here is a block of all the email addresses (including the MP), which you can copy and paste straight into an email -

tim@timfarron.co.uk, janebarker@lakedistrict.gov.uk, bill.barr@lakedistrict.gov.uk, chris.billinge@lakedistrict.gov.uk, hugh.branney@lakedistrict.gov.uk, jonathan.brook@lakedistrict.gov.uk, sue.brown@lakedistrict.gov.uk, norman.clarkson@lakedistrict.gov.uk, stan.collins@lakedistrict.gov.uk, judith.cooke@lakedistrict.gov.uk, sarah.fletcher@lakedistrict.gov.uk, david.foot@lakedistrict.gov.uk, bryan.gray@lakedistrict.gov.uk, john.hayton@lakedistrict.gov.uk, joe.holliday@lakedistrict.gov.uk, bill.jefferson@lakedistrict.gov.uk, thomas.lowther@lakedistrict.gov.uk, michael.mckinley@lakedistrict.gov.uk, vivienne.rees@lakedistrict.gov.uk, cam.ross@lakedistrict.gov.uk, john.thompson@lakedistrict.gov.uk

Monday February 20, 2012, 11:55 am
Thanks, signed.

Monday February 20, 2012, 12:29 pm
Noted, thank you !

Monday February 20, 2012, 12:41 pm
Thanks Sylvie.

Monday February 20, 2012, 12:41 pm
Thanks for sharing!

Monday February 20, 2012, 12:44 pm
noted & I'm off to sign

Monday February 20, 2012, 1:08 pm
Thank you for signing "Stop the cull of Geese in Windermere this spring: Please do not allow the mass Geese slaughter in Windermere"

Monday February 20, 2012, 1:22 pm
Petition signed.Do not kill the geese

Monday February 20, 2012, 1:32 pm
save them

Monday February 20, 2012, 1:49 pm
Done.
Shirley H.

Monday February 20, 2012, 3:46 pm
Signed and Noted.

Monday February 20, 2012, 6:10 pm
Signed.

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 1:10 am
Noted thanks for sharing

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 3:16 am
Noted!

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 4:43 am
Leave the geese alone.

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 5:48 am
signed. thanks.

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 6:47 am
Signed.
Thank you Dr. Brian May for all that you are doing to help these beautiful animals, and may I say that he is one of the best Guitarist in History.

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 6:49 am
Signed.

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 10:13 am
Signed and noted, thank you!

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 10:35 am
Thank you. Noted, voted and signed the petition! Shared on fb.

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 3:26 pm
Signed and noted.

Tuesday February 21, 2012, 10:28 pm
I have had a reply with an explanation in regards to the culling, or 'management' as it is called -

Management of Canada Geese on Windermere.

History

The Canada Goose was first introduced to England in the 17th Century to grace the waterfowl collections of wealthy individuals. One of the first records mentions the North American species in the Royal collection of Charles II in St. James’s Park, London, where it was seen by Willughby and Ray prior to 1672.

The first escapee of Britain’s largest goose was recorded as a shot individual on the Thames at Brentford, Middlesex in 1731.

Cumbrian Canada Geese record states, “In 1892 two pairs bred at Rydal Water, between Grasmere and Ambleside in Westmorland.”

Other references state

“The estimated total in north Lancashire and south Westmorland in 1967 – 9 was 140 and noted wintering in the Lune Valley south of Kirkby Lonsdale, and breed between there and Sedburgh Greylag geese and Canada geese have increased in numbers during recent years, the latter species to nuisance proportions.”

“Both Canada geese and greylag geese have occasionally been seen on Windermere, but only in odd pairs….” (1967–1969).

“Greylag geese and Canada geese have increased in numbers during recent years, the latter species to nuisance proportions”.

The goose’s success is partly due to the abandonment of the migration instinct and in 1964 it was discovered that the Canada goose has developed a special moult migration pattern between central and northern England and northern Scotland. Also, translocation of flightless birds during their annual moult to receptor sites by those with shooting interests and to alleviate localized grazing damage contributed to their spread and breeding success.

The Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

The goose lives for an average of 6 to 10 years in the wild, though the oldest bird recorded was around 30 years.

It nests between late March and mid-May. Laying usually 5 or 6 eggs, the incubation period is 28 – 29 days.

It is a gregarious species and large flocks can be seen on the lake outside breeding season.

It has few enemies in the U.K other than man; goslings may be taken by pike, otters, mink and crows, gulls and mute swans.

Cumbrian and Windermere population

Killington Reservoir has provided Canada Geese with good breeding habitat since a release of 60 birds in 1957 in Westmorland. This population quickly became the main nucleus in Cumbria with 42 pairs raising 111 young in 1990 and has been controlled for many years in an effort to stabilise it. With regard to Windermere, the 1983 edition of Birds in Cumbria records no Canada Geese on the lake despite being widespread across the south of the county in that year. In 2007, the Windermere peak count in July of Canada Geese totalled 796. The Cumbrian total for all inland waters in July was 1518. It can be seen from these figures that the Windermere population represents approximately half of the Cumbrian population. the highest count in 2011 was completed from a boat transect, as opposed to those done from roads around the lake, was 1164 which included the resident population of around 800 birds and regional migrants which move into the area in preparation for their annual moult.

Population management

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) have, to date, led the Windermere Geese Management Group, a shared interest group made up of organisations and landowners who are concerned about the environmental, economic (agricultural and tourism) and health impacts of the large numbers of geese, particularly Canada’s.

In 2007 the group embarked on a plan designed to control and reduce the population of Canada Geese on Windermere, through a series of measures including temporary and permanent fencing to exclude large numbers of geese from grazing areas and egg oiling to reduce the number of birds being born. Bird scarers, similar to those used in arable fields and on airports, have also been trialled.

Fencing has been largely ineffectual due to the scale of lake shore that is available to the geese; any fencing has concentrated grazing flocks on other accessible areas. Egg oiling has certainly reduced significantly the number of young being born, however it has not addresses the high numbers of adults in the area, nor young birds born outside the area which migrate to the lake and environs. The bird scarer was ineffective, but was of annoyance to local residents.

Fencing will continue to be used in order to protect particularly sensitive and vulnerable remnant reed beds from predation by both geese and other bird species.

National, Regional and local context.

Natural England

The reasons for controlling the Canada Geese population (as detailed by Natural England http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/TIN009) are as follows;

· preserving public health or safety (GL07);

· preserving air safety (GL06);

· conserving flora and fauna (GL08); and

· preventing the spread of disease and preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland waters (GL05).

Canada geese are listed as a ‘pest’ species by Natural England.

Cumbria Bio Security Plan.

The Cumbria Bio Security Plan covering control of Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species states;

Invasive non-native species (INNS) are those that have been transported outside of their natural range and that can damage our environment, environmental services, the economy, our health and the way we live. Impacts of INNS are so significant, they are considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. They threaten the survival of rare native species and damage sensitive ecosystems and habitats.

The vision of the plan is to;

‘To develop a sustainable county-wide management framework that will detect, control and/or eradicate, where present, specified Freshwater Invasive Non Native Species throughout Cumbria through the coordination of data collection, education and local action’

The plan identifies Canada Geese, along with other species such as Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, American Mink, Giant Hogweed and New Zealand pygmy weed, as needing control within all catchments in Cumbria.

Windermere Strategy 2011

Section D Nature Conservation states;

Reed beds have significantly declined around the lake margins. Some have disappeared, for example around Grassholme. Other areas show reed bed decline which is of concern. Reed fringes are important in helping dissipate wave energy and erosion, and are wildlife refuges. A Windermere Reflections project is also enabling restoration of the shoreline, led by South Cumbria Rivers Trust. (D14.5)

Canada and Greylag geese have also increased in numbers in recent years. Geese droppings damage agricultural land, contribute to phosphorus in the lake, and their grazing may contribute to the damage and loss of reed beds. (D14.8)

The growing population of geese has a significant impact on the lake, its shoreline and the visitor experience. Controlled management of geese has taken place for the last two years to halt the growth in numbers. This work will continue, working with organisations around the lake to coordinate management (D15.6)

Action D16.2 Reduce populations of geese within the catchment; working group to review success of previous control programmes, prepare communication plan and progress arising actions.

Lead Partners: LDNP, National Trust, South Cumbria Rivers Trust.

Potential Partners; Landowners

The reasons for doing this on Windermere.

To reduce the increase of water borne E Coli bacteria levels. High levels will have implications on amenity use of the lake. Regular sampling by the Environment Agency show concerns, especially at the southern end of the lake.

• To reduce the levels of diffuse pollution. Where numbers of geese graze and roost, large volumes of droppings are deposited resulting in nutrients entering the lake and subsequent algal growths utilizing that resource.

• To reduce the grazing of emergent and loss of Phragmites reed. The loss of localised reed beds on the shores of the lake and around some islands since the 1960’s has been recorded and is of concern. Eye witness accounts have described the emergent reed growth being eaten by Canada Geese.

• To reduce the economic loss of grass crops to farmers. Due to the few areas of grassland adjoining the lake shore that provide a food source for the geese, available grazing for farm stock is decimated and economic loss is sustained.

• To reduce the dominance of nest site areas. Indigenous ducks are aggressively challenged by Canada Geese and no longer nest on any of the lake’s islands.

It is envisaged that the control methods will continue in successive years and regular on-going monitoring by the LDNPA and others will establish the efficacy of the scheme.

Culling of Canada Geese

This work is proposed to start in the spring of 2012. It is intended to cull up to 200 birds at this time and to monitor the effect of this work with a view to carrying out further culls over the next 5 years. Counts of birds will continue to evaluate the impact on both numbers of birds and their movements within the area in order to establish changes to local and regional migration patterns. This will inform any future decisions regarding potential management work on other sites throughout Cumbria.

All work will be carried out on land, by trained and licenced operatives and under the required licence issued by Defra through Natural England.

The Geese Management Group is acutely aware of the sensitivity of this work, and whilst they welcome a public debate based on facts and need, they are comfortable that this decision has been made, albeit reluctantly, on a proven need based on the impacts listed above. The work will be carried out in as sensitive manner as possible to reduce stress to both birds and the public.



CONTACT US

If you have a view on our approach to geese management on Windermere, for or against, you can contact us on line:

Lake District National Park - Contact Us form



Or you can email us at:

hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk



Or you can telephone us

01539 724555. Monday – Thursday 9a.m. – 5p.m. Friday 9a.m. – 4.45p.m.



Or write to us at:

Lake District National Park Authority

Murley Moss

Oxenholme Road

Kendal

Cumbria

LA9 7RL



The officer responsible for these enquiries is Steve Tatlock, Park Management Ranger.

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Basically it is a long winded way of saying that they are ignoring any public concerns and are going to cull anyway!

Wednesday February 22, 2012, 3:02 am
noted & signed

Wednesday February 22, 2012, 4:04 am
oh, well if they were brought over in the 17th centruy for ordimental birds, then they should be considerd "native" now ? oops I forgot, only humans are invasive becaue we are native to Africa and do not belong elsewhere in the world, but if we put Lions in South America, then that is "goood ideaaaaaa"

the geese deserve more rights than http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2007/jun/29/endangeredspecies.conservationandendangeredspecies

Wednesday February 22, 2012, 4:13 am
oh well, to bad they are beating up native waterfowl. maybe they can just import those ducks elsehwere. I'm sure nothing bad can happen. Besides, killing the geese is saying "death to American and Canada"

Monday February 27, 2012, 12:30 am
Noted and signed! Huge kudos to Brian May for his work!!!! Awesome guitarist too!! Thanks Sylvie!!

Tuesday February 28, 2012, 3:29 am
Noted! Had already signed! Thanks for posting! Those geese are so cute!

Thursday March 1, 2012, 5:17 pm
Noted and signed.

Saturday March 3, 2012, 2:09 pm
signed

Friday April 13, 2012, 2:02 am
Please visit

http://legalaction4animalrights.net/2012/02/15/save-the-windermere-geese/

I posted an update.

Thanks so much once again for your support !