Dispiriting episode for those who worked to reintroduce eagles
COUNTRY FILE
THERE are few who will not be shocked and saddened at the deliberate poisoning of two white-tailed eagles in Co. Antrim just days ago.
Bendiocarb, an insecticide due to be removed from the market in the next few months, was the substance used to target these birds. Quite logically, this must have been presented for consumption in the body of a dead animal, for white-tailed sea eagles are opportunistic feeders that readily dine on carrion.
Could a dead animal have been baited to target foxes? Probably not, for bendiocarb tends to be rapidly dispelled from the flesh of mammals, so unless somebody didn't have a clue as to what they were doing then birds were their target.
The laying of poisoned bait has been illegal for over a decade. In Scotland, bendiocarb has been banned since 2015.
This latest episode must be thoroughly dispiriting for those who have worked hard for many years to reintroduce such iconic bird species and golden and white-tailed eagles. And how about our friends in Norway who have contributed a great deal of time and finance into the same projects? Are they likely to keep channeling their valuable resources in this direction if we insist on bringing their efforts to nothing?
A reward has been offered for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible for this mean-spirited attack. What are the chances of that particular reward finding a home?
Meanwhile, glyphosate, the main active ingredient in many agricultural and garden herbicides, has been given the green light for widespread use, despite attempts to have it removed from the market.
The World Health Organisation considers glyphosate to be 'probably carcinogenic to humans'. Still, the European Food Safety Authority has concluded the benefits of using this poisonous chemical to outweigh the risks, if indeed there are any.
According to Eva Correll of Greenpeace: “For years the evidence of glyphosate's toxicity for people and the environment has been stacking up, but the European Food Safety Authority has once again decided to sweep it under the carpet. The Commission and EU governments have a duty to protect people and nature: they must reject its re-approval and put European farming on a sustainable course.”
I had hoped 2023 might be the last year we would see our countryside disfigured by the widespread and indiscriminate use of glyphosate. Now it appears this will not be the case.
It is hard to make sense of it. We know we are heading into a biodiversity crisis, with insect populations crashing at a truly startling rate. We know that we depend on these very creatures, yet do little or nothing to care for them.
Perhaps we think that as long as there remain even a few bees, wasps, moths and more then nothing is really lost, for the population of these will bounce back readily at the least opportunity.
On a happier note, warm weather earlier in the year followed by copious rain showers has already produced a bumper crop of edible fungi, and looks to have set the stage for a bumper crop of wild fruits. There was never a better time to head to the woods.
We looked at the damson trees and found them loaded with fruit. The branches are already weighed down, although six weeks remain until they can be harvested.
Not everyone likes damsons. Some find them sour, others don't like the stones they contain.
Still, if the sun stays with us, which of course it will, we shall have such a crop that the summer of 2023 will be remembered for its bounty. Enjoy!