Licence Applications
Since the removal of wildfowlers from Powhillon's foreshore, the Svalbard population of Barnacle geese sheltered and fed on Powhillon and its adjoining Site of Special Scientific Interest. They would migrate to the area in September and stay until April the following year. Within that period;- October, November, February and March saw the greatest numbers of geese with up to twelve to thirteen thousand descending onto the pastures with the average count for the aforementioned months from 1986 to 1996 being six to seven thousand. R Hill & Co applied twice a year for a licence to shoot the birds in order to prevent serious damage occurring. They applied in September in preparation for the huge influx of geese throughout October and November, then again in January for the pending onslaught during February and March. Following the advent of the EU Bird Directive, Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979, and subsequent Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and amendments which incorporated the European legislation into UK law, Minister’s became responsible for maintaining current bird populations but in doing so had powers to derogate should damage be inflicted to local fauna, flora or inhabitants. With the population of Barnacle geese increasing significantly and serious damage occurring to Powhillon’s grasslands and SSSI, R Hill & Co applied to Ministers for licences to control the Barnacle goose population as listed in the following table.
