Shooting News
Defra killed Cock Robin | The Sunday Times (£)
THE environment ministry licensed the killing of two robins and a wren with semi-automatic weapons after the tiny birds were declared a threat to public health.
Semi-automatic? I gather air-rifles were actually used.
Comments
Wimps. Robins and wrens are exceptionally dangerous - they ought to have used an 81mm mortar.
http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/support-weapons/1469.aspx
Otherwise, I imagine they were self loading air rifles but the Times wanted to make the story a bit more grabbing.
Or, like so many journalists, the numpty who wrote the piece knows nothing about guns.
Posted by: Phil D | October 21, 2012 11:20 AM
"...and 152 starlings, all highly protected “red list” species..."
Huh? Starlings?
You mean those birds that fly around in flocks of (literally) millions at a time?
They are a highly-protected "red list" species?
It seems that, like so many journalists, the numpty who wrote the piece knows nothing about guns OR birds.
Posted by: Andrew Duffin | October 22, 2012 3:00 PM
From http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/starling/index.aspx
"Help the Starling. We need to take urgent action to secure the future of this species. Become a member today and help us continue our vital conservation work."
"804,000 breeding pairs" in the UK.
Posted by: Alan Bates | October 24, 2012 11:28 AM
Further to above:
Both Robin and Wren are at "Green" status according to the RSPB site.
Who do I trust: a MSM reporter on what used to be the newspaper of record or the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds? Difficult choice ...
Posted by: Alan Bates | October 24, 2012 11:34 AM