Forest sell-off

[RKB]

Originally Posted by mammalrecorder

This is not a survey it is the NWCU report statistics and just over 96% of records from woodland areas come from those which are privately owned and more than 75% of them are owner/manager related. Not a great record!

Still highly biased though.

Originally Posted by mammalrecorder

We do have access to farmland in Scotland and lochs, rivers, forests, moreland, seashore etc.

So you can walk anywhere you want on farmland, such as through any field, and along any hedgerow?

Originally Posted by mammalrecorder

Since the Land Reform (Scotland) Act came into force the number of reports of wildlife crime have increased substantially. There are now far more people out there visiting areas they were previously barred from and able and willing to report incidents when they come across them.

You're making quite a lot of claims that you aren't substantiating. If this is an opnion or impression then fine, but I don't know how you could properly back it up.

Originally Posted by mammalrecorder

I appreciate that you are happy because you have the access you want and do not wish to share it with others. I, and perhaps some others here might regard that as being a little selfish and elitist but I guess you would not and there we have to differ. It has been an interesting discussion.

That's very disingenuous. I pointed out that there is nothing to stop anyone requesting access if they want to. But if elitism is excluding irresponsible or criminally-minded access, or levels of usage which damage the habitat, which your kind of egalitarianism freely permits, then yes I'm elitist. Preventing people from having a picnic under a Goshawk nest may be selfish, in that you're stopping people doing what they want, but is it wrong?

[pda15]

Yes we can walk on farmland in Scotland and grouse moors, deer estates etc. It works pretty well mostly and we even let English people come up here on their holidays and use our freedoms too!

As for picnicking under a Goshawk nest or any other sensitive spot that is of course against the law in Scotland just as it is in England but frankly we have more problems up here with landowners and their servants destroying our wildlife than we do with Jo Public causing damage.

Freedom of access and state ownership of forests works well for us and and we have no plans to change it. You chaps south of the border can decide your own priorities and we shall watch with interest.

[earthdragon64]

In Scotland access rights come with responsibilities and there is an outdoor access code on the following link, mostly commonsense stuff.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code - Scottish Natural Heritage

The following link explains more about access rights, note that under the "Where Access Rights Do Not Apply" section land where crops are sown is excluded from access rights, however field margins are specifically mentioned as being not defined as crops and therefore within access rights.

Your access rights - Scottish Natural Heritage

There are large amounts of FCS forests around here, plantation and semi-natural, most have a good network of tracks through them, with loads of wildlife. The tracks are used by walkers and bikers, all seem to co-exist quite happily with the local wildlife. I'd hate to think that would be restricted.

Regards, Audrey.

[RKB]

Originally Posted by pda15

As for picnicking under a Goshawk nest or any other sensitive spot that is of course against the law in Scotland just as it is in England

Only if it's deliberate. But whether there is an intention or not, the result to the Gos is the same.

[stigofthedump]

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

There are large amounts of FCS forests around here, plantation and semi-natural, most have a good network of tracks through them, with loads of wildlife. The tracks are used by walkers and bikers, all seem to co-exist quite happily with the local wildlife. I'd hate to think that would be restricted.

Regards, Audrey.

Indeed Audrey thats mostly what I have observed, not all the time, but mostly.
I for one will put my name on any petition against this sell off.

Vince

[STYRBJORN]

Originally Posted by stigofthedump

Indeed Audrey thats mostly what I have observed, not all the time, but mostly.
I for one will put my name on any petition against this sell off.

Vince

I refer you to my OP!

[stigofthedump]

Originally Posted by STYRBJORN

I refer you to my OP!

already signed now looking for local groups wanting signatures for 'save our forest' petitions.

Vince

[Lyn H]

I would sign too but I am in Scotland and it does not apply to us.

[STYRBJORN]

I find it pleasing that there is a lot of opposition to this whole cynical exercise in "Cost Saving" blah blah yap yap building up. Could it be that people are starting to realise that politicians may not always tell the truth, let alone the whole truth? Perish ther thort.

[pda15]

You keep mentioning Goshawks RKB which is interesting as they seem to be the species that is doing so very badly in private woodland in England. I wonder why that is?