The UK government has issued licenses in the last three years to shoot at least 40 problem bird species, including rare and endangered birds. A wildlife blogger’s freedom of information request reveals that Natural England and Natural Resources Wales issued licensed for birds including skylark, linnet and mistle thrush.
Curlews, buzzards, red kites and peregrine falcons were permitted to be shot to preserve air safety, wrens, robins, blackbirds for public health or safety, and starlings and moorhens to protect agriculture.
This story broke on Jason Endfield’s blog
