[wellies101]

Regarding the matter of "controlling" culling them or not I have to agree with those in favour of some means of control. We regularly get large numbers of RNP where I work in Feltham, Middx, and they dominate nest holes and any feeding sites where they are present. They also have massive impacts on industries such as fruit production (cider, orchards, etc) where, in large numbers, they can destroy 30-40% of the crop by taking the blossom.

How people can say they don't need controlling; and by that I don't mean a "mass" cull trying to eradicate them I mean regulalry removing "X" amount from the population and monitoring its response to the cull, is beyond me. This short-sighted view regarding the lack of evidence of competition with other species for nest holes and food is incredible. How can they not? Perhaps there has been a lack of study on this subject, I for example, have not seen an independant scientific paper on the matter?

Do they impact on bats? I know they have damaged Schwegler bat boxes so much that bats can no longer use them (grey squirrels do they same, but don't start me on them either).

Another interesting viewpoint is from that of a habitat manager (which I kind-of am). Imagine you needed to remove an large section of invasive alien plant species (rhoddedendron, japanese knotweed, etc.) from a particular habitat, there would be no hesitation in knocking it out. An alien species needs removing from a habitat, regardless of whether it is an animal or plant. Why does this opinion have to change because its an animal? They look nicer and have feelings carries no weight whatsoever I'm afraid.

I can understand why people find it diffcult to take my perhaps "hardcore" viewpoint, but I don't see why this subject can't be a bit more black and white. Habitat/countryside management is difficult and complecated at the best of times, not only in relation to ecology, but also the various bodies and departments that you need to go through to get simple things done. I think that sometimes simple works.