Jim Gibbinson
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The Great Crested Grebe became almost extinct at one stage (Victorian times, I think) due to the popularity of Grebe feathers in ladies' hats. As fashion changed so the G.C. Grebe staged a comeback, and as recent as 15 years ago there were G.C.Grebes on virtually every water I fished. Now, this is not so. Quite apart from the fact that G.C.Grebes and cormorants compete for food, there's a territorial aspect involved in that each breeding pair of G.C.Grebes requires about 5 acres of water. Cormorants move in, G.C.Grebes move out - as the RSPB would realise if they examined the situation objectively.
I once met someone who worked in the RSPB membership rectruitment office, and pointed out the above to her. "Oh, our members would be upset if they knew Great Crested Grebes were affected," she said.
I explained that some of us have been trying to point this out for a long time, but the RSPB has been too obtuse to see beyond the narrow confines of its blinkered view.
Not that the RSPB are alone in this regard, an official of Maidstone Victory Angling Club told me that "The effects of cormorant predation are greatly exaggerated."
What can I say....?
I once met someone who worked in the RSPB membership rectruitment office, and pointed out the above to her. "Oh, our members would be upset if they knew Great Crested Grebes were affected," she said.
I explained that some of us have been trying to point this out for a long time, but the RSPB has been too obtuse to see beyond the narrow confines of its blinkered view.
Not that the RSPB are alone in this regard, an official of Maidstone Victory Angling Club told me that "The effects of cormorant predation are greatly exaggerated."
What can I say....?