Home » British bird quarry species review

British bird quarry species review

The government is reviewing quarry species and seasons in England, Wales and Scotland and there is limited time to have your say.

If we don’t act, there could be a ban or reduced shooting season for 8 quarry species. These threats need to be challenged and there is an opportunity to get species onto the quarry lists.

What species are impacted and where?

The following table outlines the species-specific proposals being consulted on.

Species	England	Wales	Scotland
Pochard	Remove from quarry list.	Remove from quarry list.	Remove from quarry list.
European white-fronted goose	Remove from quarry list.	Remove from quarry list.	No change.
Goldeneye	Remove from quarry list.	Remove from quarry list.	Shorten open season.
Pintail	Remove from quarry list.	Shorten open season.	Shorten open season.
Common snipe	Shorten open season.	Remove from quarry list.	Shorten open season.
Woodcock	Shorten open season.	Shorten open season.	Shorten open season.
Coot	No change.	Remove from quarry list.	No change.
Golden plover	No change.	Remove from quarry list.	No change.
Woodpigeon	Add to quarry list.	Add to quarry list.	Add to quarry list.

BASC’s position

BASC supports a self-regulatory approach and is opposed to all the restriction proposals.

In our consultation response we will be recommending that Defra (for England), the Welsh government and Scottish government endorse BASC’s sustainable shooting code of practice rather than pursuing unnecessary and unevidenced restrictions.

Adding more species to the quarry lists

BASC supports the proposal to add woodpigeon to the quarry lists in England, Wales and Scotland with an open season from 1 September to 31 March whilst remaining on the general licences for all year-round control.

Based on a sustainable shooting framework we have developed, and that underpins BASC’s sustainable shooting code of practice, we will be recommending the addition of at least 18 species to be added to the quarry lists. We may be proposing more species as we re-evaluate the evidence in light of the consultation.

BASC guidance on responding to the consultation

We appreciate that there are diverse views on the proposals and below are some options and suggestions for you to consider when having your say.

Option 1

Respond to the consultation by 17 May by emailing WildlifeManagementAndCrime@defra.gov.uk with the subject title ‘My response to the quarry species consultation’.

You could consider using the following text.

Please drop all the restriction proposals and instead endorse BASC’s sustainable shooting code of practice.

Please consider adding the following species to the quarry lists in England, Wales and Scotland: brent goose, carrion crow, cormorant, Egyptian goose, goosander, great black-backed gull, herring gull, jack snipe, jackdaw, jay, lesser black-backed gull, magpie, mandarin duck, monk parakeet, raven, ring-necked parakeet, ruddy duck, stock dove and woodpigeon.

The evidence supporting the inclusion of these species is being provided by BASC.

Feel free to pick and choose from the above text and add more details from a personal viewpoint on the proposed restrictions and our suggested species additions as you wish.

Option 2

Put pen to paper today and post your response to the consultation, drawing on the above text as you wish. Your response can be hand-written or printed; it’s up to you. The address to use is:

Wildlife Crime & Management Team,
Defra, Seacole Building,
2 Marsham Street,
London,
SW1P 4DF

Option 3

Some people may wish to complete the online consultation response form which can be accessed from here.

BASC has published guidance with suggested answers to all the questions on the online form.

Download BASC’s detailed guidance here.

Thank you!

Thank you for reading this and we hope you will act on it. Please help spread the word to everyone that shoots by sharing this webpage by email and on your social media accounts.