- And on Thu, 27 May 2004 18:44:57 +0100, it was spake thus said in message Jonathan Silverlight :

In message , Hils
writes
Maurice Gavin wrote

"Why garden centres
are killing the planet".

As a slightly OT appendix, one of my local garden centres recently hired
pest control people to kill a family of robins which had nested in its
cafe (not far from where they sold wild bird food and nestboxes).

Name and shame, please :-)

The same message I posted to uk.rec.birdwatching which stired things a bit !

Taken from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3738671.stm

RSPCA questions killing of robins

The RSPB says there are 8.4m robins in the UK
An investigation has begun after a garden centre in South Gloucestershire was
allegedly allowed to kill nesting robins considered "a pest".
Wyevale garden centre in Milbury Heath near Thornbury reportedly destroyed two
chicks, an adult and the nest.

It was given permission and a licence for the killing by the Department of
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

But the RSPCA has raised concerns and the government department is now looking
again at the action.

RSPCA Inspector Glyn Roberts said he was called to the centre after being
tipped off.

'Really necessary?'

He was told by the centre's manager that the birds had been flying in and out
of the cafeteria via air vents and were considered a health hazard.

He said the manager added that he had been called out in the night as the
birds were triggering burglar alarm sensors.

RSPB spokesman Grahame Madge said: "The question that really needs to be asked
is, was it necessary to cull the birds?"

A Defra spokesman said the application was considered by an experienced
wildlife management adviser.

The killing of robins is only permitted where there is considered to be a
genuine threat to public health or safety and where all other practical
alternatives have been tried and failed or are considered ineffective.

The RSPB said the bird, of which there are an estimated 8.4m in the UK, was
not under any threat.

The garden centre manager said he could not comment and the national chain, of
which the centre is a part, was unavailable for comment.
--
Nick in Northallerton
Also nickw7coc on both Yahoo Messenger & on MSN Messenger
And http://www.whelan.me.uk