There is more than a little economy with the truth in the article Greens slam ‘open season’ in bird cull row (The Scotsman, 18 July). Foremost is the misleading statement that a licence was granted by SNH to cull over 300 ravens. In proper context, a licence was granted in 2018 to cull up to 69 birds a year across more than 20,000 hectares of moors, farmland and woods with no guarantee of further licences and annual reviews every 5 years.
Competent ecologists and wildlife managers can understand that this is a sensible adaptive management approach with appropriate built in checks. It is disappointing that this position has been misrepresented. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust would be happy to meet with the Scottish Greens to make sure they have full knowledge of the facts surrounding the Strathbraan licence, and to allay their concerns.
Bruce Russell
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scotland