This letter appeared in the Bournemouth Echo on the 27th May 2020 and I have to say it really saddened me that views such as this still persist. I have encountered the argument many times over the years, usually the poor magpie is the victim of the attack but sparrowhawks get a lot of flack too. This time it is the buzzard:
“I MUST agree with Douglas Mills when he writes about the lack of reptiles on many of the heaths in Dorset.
As a boy growing up in Wareham, we roamed many of the heaths and woodlands surrounding the town, in those days all species of snakes and lizards were in abundance much to the delight of us kids.
Whilst I agree with Douglas that mankind’s presence has played a part in the demise of the reptile population, I do however believe that the increase in the birds of prey population has also played a major part.
Years ago, one had to travel to the remote parts of Purbeck to spot a buzzard, now they are everywhere, indeed a few years back I counted 13 rising on a thermal above the centre of Wimborne.
Farmers and country folk are now no longer allowed or need to keep the birds of prey population in check by shooting etc.
As part of the birds of prey diet is snakes, lizards and small mammals, this in turn leads to a reduction in the number of reptiles.
Therefore, the end result is that the balance of nature has been disturbed, in favour of birds of prey.
COLIN MOYES”
Mr Moyes has absolutely no comprehension of what the ‘balance of nature is’. The ‘balance of nature’ is a natural process and not one dictated by human intervention. If birds of prey over predate reptiles then the obvious consequence is that there would be less food for the birds of prey and their numbers would fall. As the birds of prey numbers then go into decline so the reptiles would be subject to less predation and so increase. That is how natural systems ‘balance’ themselves.
The reasons for the decline in reptile populations on the Dorset heaths are far more complex than a recovery in buzzard populations in recent years. Sadly most of the reasons are due to human disturbance of the natural ecosystem with the fragmentation of the once large expanse of heathland in the Poole basin coupled with the increased human activity on the heaths for recreation and, of course, the devastating effects of wildfires carelessly or deliberately started.
The reasons go much deeper and are far more complex. One reason is that most reptiles are insectivorous and the dramatic fall in insect populations coupled to pesticide use means many species of reptile are suffering.
Killing birds of prey is NOT the answer to restoring reptile populations. The old fashioned human concept of killing to control has to cease and we have to try and restore the natural balance of nature and not attempt to exert ill thought out strategies based on outdated thinking.
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