Tullyallen Macra na Feirme Biodiversity Talk

MacraPat

On behalf of Tullyallen Macra na Feirme I would like to invite you all to our Biodiversity information evening on the topic of wild game management. The talk will be chaired by Des Crofton National Director of the NARGC.
Speakers include:
Kieran Buckley-Wildlife ranger for Louth and key member of the Grey Partridge Trust,
David Scallan-NUI Galway graduate, researcher and PHD student,
Mike Johnson of MacEoin Ltd. displaying traps for pest control
and
Oscar Reynolds a Garda from Slane to talk about gun licences and legislation. Light refreshments and tea provided. Admission €2.

Venue: "Teach Raithneach", Starinagh, Collon Co. Meath
Date: 14th of October
Time: 8pm sharp

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101307493267800

FixItAginTomora

Well, couldn't make it to this talk; how'd it go any reports?
Have you any more planned or on any different topics?

MacraPat

Sorry about the late reply, the talk was a success!! Our guest speakers were amazing, far from brow beating farmers-they suggested avenues to encourage endangered birds (game and otherwise) to the farm. Then showed how this can still be equitable for the farmer. Very fitting considering 2010 was a year for biodiversity.

Our next talk will be on the subject of waterways management on the farm, with a special look at game fisheries management as we are situated in the Boyne valley. It should be coming up in March or so, I'll keep ye posted.

LostCovey

MacraPat wrote: »

On behalf of Tullyallen Macra na Feirme I would like to invite you all to our Biodiversity information evening on the topic of wild game management. The talk will be chaired by Des Crofton National Director of the NARGC.
Speakers include:
Kieran Buckley-Wildlife ranger for Louth and key member of the Grey Partridge Trust,
David Scallan-NUI Galway graduate, researcher and PHD student,
Mike Johnson of MacEoin Ltd. displaying traps for pest control
and
Oscar Reynolds a Garda from Slane to talk about gun licences and legislation. Light refreshments and tea provided. Admission €2.

Venue: "Teach Raithneach", Starinagh, Collon Co. Meath
Date: 14th of October
Time: 8pm sharp

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101307493267800

Interesting panel.

Quite a few of those speakers (including the chair) would appear to have had an active interest in shooting, trapping and killing biodiversity.

Sorry I couldn't make it.

LostCovey

MacraPat

Indeed they do LC. Any respectable shot however is only interested in shooting only a healthy surplus of game. David Scallan highlighted in his speech how modern farming practices have led to ecosystem which increases the numbers of nuisance species. Nuisance species which have a knock on effect on farm profitability and other species in the ecosystem. One way of controlling theses nuisance species is trapping or shooting. Mike Johnson covered this element superbly. I can see how there seems to be a paradox, surely shooting,farming and biodiversity cannot go hand in hand! It is very possible however using some lateral thinking .

We need to get away from the Cartesian idea of either we're winning or nature is winning and for us to get what we want, nature is diminished.

LostCovey

MacraPat wrote: »

Indeed they do LC. Any respectable shot however is only interested in shooting only a healthy surplus of game. David Scallan highlighted in his speech how modern farming practices have led to ecosystem which increases the numbers of nuisance species. Nuisance species which have a knock on effect on farm profitability and other species in the ecosystem. One way of controlling theses nuisance species is trapping or shooting. Mike Johnson covered this element superbly. I can see how there seems to be a paradox, surely shooting,farming and biodiversity cannot go hand in hand! It is very possible however using some lateral thinking .

We need to get away from the Cartesian idea of either we're winning or nature is winning and for us to get what we want, nature is diminished.

Thanks MacraPat.

The concept of nuisance species is an interesting one in the context of biodiversity, particularly where these are native species and an integral part of the indigenous ecosystem.

I expect these are shot in a wholly non-Cartesian fashion?

From their perspective who is winning?


LostCovey

MacraPat

LostCovey wrote: »

The concept of nuisance species is an interesting one in the context of biodiversity, particularly where these are native species and an integral part of the indigenous ecosystem.


LostCovey

I do not deny that these nuisance species ARE an integral part of the indigenous ecosystem. Without a stable population of corvids and foxes we would soon be a country littered in carrion and sickly diseased animals. However as highlighted on the evening, modern farming practices have elevated the populations of these nuisance species to a state where they have a negative impact upon farming and other more desirable species.

LostCovey wrote: »

I expect these are shot in a wholly non-Cartesian fashion?
LostCovey

Does this practice withstand the Aldo Leopold test?
Which is : "Does this make us better citizens of the biotic community?"
Does this lead to the support and perpetuation of the biota rather than it's destruction?
I would propose that it would. Look at any any man-managed grouse moor or the Boora project for Grey partridge in Co.Offaly. The numbers of ground nesting birds(of all species) is greatly increased. This is simply achieved by managing a ecosystem from the target species perspective.

LostCovey wrote: »

From their perspective who is winning?
LostCovey

Of course from that individual animal's perspective it's an immediate loss. Reduced competition for food to their colleagues will result in an over all win.

LostCovey

MacraPat wrote: »

I do not deny that these nuisance species ARE an integral part of the indigenous ecosystem. Without a stable population of corvids and foxes we would soon be a country littered in carrion and sickly diseased animals. However as highlighted on the evening, modern farming practices have elevated the populations of these nuisance species to a state where they have a negative impact upon farming and other more desirable species.


Does this practice withstand the Aldo Leopold test?
Which is : "Does this make us better citizens of the biotic community?"
Does this lead to the support and perpetuation of the biota rather than it's destruction?
I would propose that it would. Look at any any man-managed grouse moor or the Boora project for Grey partridge in Co.Offaly. The numbers of ground nesting birds(of all species) is greatly increased. This is simply achieved by managing a ecosystem from the target species perspective.


Of course from that individual animal's perspective it's an immediate loss. Reduced competition for food to their colleagues will result in an over all win.

I am sure my approach to life appears zany to you, but I do not see the world in terms of "desirable" and "undesirable" species, so I think that it is unlikely we will reach any agreement. Managed Grouse moors have pretty much eradicated the Hen Harrier as a breeding species from all of England, and much of Scotland. Does this matter? Maybe not if enough people consider it an "undesirable species". Part of the reason we have so many corvids and foxes is because large birds of prey were pursued to extinction at a time that they were considered "undesirable species" (and still are in some quarters, it would appear, but that is not appropriate to discuss on this forum).

In summary, in my opinion, the "arbitrarily managed" approach to wildlife does not result in any increase in biodiversity or benefit to the country's biota, because it is inconsistent, and prone to the vagaries of fashion.

LostCovey

Muckit

Boards.ie debating night anyone..?

LostCovey

Muckit wrote: »

Boards.ie debating night anyone..?

Fine this past week cos I'm on shift-work. Not fine next week cos I am on days!