Advisory Lead shot
Mike Swan stresses the importance of lead-free wetlands
T
here I was, having a wonderful day when a dilemma decided to fly my way. A pair of ducks flushed from the marl pit hidden inside a wood and headed towards me, but I was loaded with lead. There was just time to break the gun, empty the top barrel, replace with a bismuth cartridge, and shoot taking care to pick the drake. After the drive, the head keeper complimented me on my speed of change and I proudly showed him the spent bismuth case. Members will be only too aware that lead has been in the news, with a joint statement on compliance with lead regulations by all our representative organisations, and now an e-pledge to sign up to. This was followed up by a BBC Countryfile programme, with a two part feature on lead and waterfowl, which repeated the point that birds are still picking up lead pellets when they should not. Some folk may not think that this matters, but I assure them that it does. Whether we like it or not, some species of wildfowl are particularly prone to picking up spent shot, and when this is ground up in their gizzards it is very bad for them. Many die, and in a very slow and unpleasant way, while those that do not are more likely to be predated. This, of course has potential poisoning implications for the predators as well as the wildfowl. So, where is the lead coming from? The use of lead shot for wildfowl has been illegal in England since 1999 with Wales following soon after. There are also severe
Young shots success
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ur Young Shooters days to promote conservation and game management to youngsters, were a huge success throughout the country. With a score of 13 out of 15, Cain Stewart was top shot at the Northumberland day, with Tom
restrictions on where you can use lead to avoid deposition on most wetland SSSI areas, and Scotland has simply made it illegal to deposit lead shot in wetlands whatever you are shooting. Many believe that the shot picked up by today’s wildfowl is mostly historical, but research into the availability of spent lead in wetland soils shows that most of it soon becomes unavailable to ducks. However, the legislation as it stands could never entirely prevent the odd duck from picking up a lead pellet. That said, there should have been a much greater reduction in incidence by now, and the obvious cause is that some shooters are not abiding by the regulations as well as they should. Signing a pledge that says you support obeying the law may seem slightly trite, but a really well supported pledge will help to pressure the non-compliers into following the rules too, as well as showing that those who shoot do care about this issue. Sign up at www.leadshotcampaign.org.uk if you have not already done so. What else can we do to help prevent wildfowl from finding and ingesting lead pellets? Following the law is essential, but I think we can go further. On another favourite shoot, part of the day is spent stirring up the snipe and ducks, plus the odd wild pheasant, on an area which includes some water meadows. The latter are part of the Avon Valley SSSI, where it is illegal to
Percy awarded most improving shot. These days are an excellent introduction for youngsters into the countryside teaching them skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
The use of leadshot for wildfowl has been illegal in the UK since 1999 and it is illegal in Scotland to deposit lead shot in wetlands, whatever the species. Wildfowl are prone to picking up spent shot and many die. This then causes potential poisoning implications for predators. All shooters should abide by the law and sign the lead shot pledge.
use lead. The rule here is simple, ‘No lead’ even when we are after the pheasants on the drier ground. If you think that this is a bit excessive, shot can travel several hundred metres, and the little pheasant drives are closer than that to the water meadows where the teal and mallard feed. I wish more shoot captains would take this sort of precautionary approach. The Code of Good Shooting Practice says: ‘Guns should avoid depositing lead shot in wetlands important to feeding waterfowl’. If we all followed this rule, there would be far less scope for criticism just now.
More information Sign the pledge at: www.leadshotcampaign.org.uk Code of good shooting practice www.gwct.org.uk/codegoodshooting
Mike Swan is our southern regional advisor. An expert in his field he has advised many clients to help them boost their wild broods, and is full of advice and top tips.
Boosting partridges A practical in-depth course on how to re-introduce or boost grey partridge numbers will take place on Thursday 7 November, at Fordingbridge, Hampshire. This course is designed to help ensure that your partridge project is a success. Contact Lynda Ferguson 01425 651013. Places cost £66. GAMEWISE AUTUMN/WINTER 2013 | 33
© Dave Kjaer
Avoiding lead in wetlands