The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Can anyone tell me if shooting of Brent Geese is allowed on the marsh between Saltfleet and Saltfleet Haven as someone has been shooting there this week. It is a NNR and as well as the welfare of the geese there is still quite a few holiday makers who cross the marsh to the beach from the New Inn caravan park and also from Sea Lane.
I rang the police but they said shooting is allowed from the 1st October but when I said it's close to a footpath they said they'd have another look.

Geoff
Shooting Brent Geese is strictly illegal though Defra do issue a very few licenses to farmers allowing the shooting of a very small numbers birds to help protect crops, certainly not on the salt marsh, i suggest another more forceful call to the police, Dave.

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Regards, DJB. http://bradderscleebirding.blogspot.co.uk/

Geoff,
To re-enforce Dave's accurate response, Brent Geese are fully protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act but provisions are made for shooting under licence for the purpose of preventing serious damage to crops. In the case you highlight there should be no shooting on the saltmarsh. I suggest you contact the Lincolnshire Wildlife Crime Officer, PC Nick Willey.
Regards,
Stuart

For the first time this week no shooting was heard, perhaps he realised too many people are around at weekends.
Thanks for your replies.
Geoff