Shoot to kill - only means to prevent damage
Although Powhillon was at the forefront alongside the Isle of Islay, the true cost of Barnacle geese to Powhillon was never quantified and no compensation was ever received. There are reports (such as The Economic Cost of Invasive Non-Native Species on Great Britain) that estimate the general cost to be £14.90 per goose. The recorded number of geese at Powhillon was 13,700 which equates to an annual cost of £204,130. These costs represent the economic loss and would not prevent the destruction caused by geese.
The images show Barnacle Geese lifting off Powhillon and the devastation and destruction they caused to the SSSI, leaving only tonnes of faeces.
| Year | Official | Date | Serious Damage Recorded |
|---|
The table lists reports compiled by Scottish Office, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Officials. The reports document the effect Barnacle geese were having on Powhillon and its adjoining Site of Special Scientific Interest and were written at the request of Ministers so that they could determine whether or not a licence to shoot the birds was necessary. The reports also formed part of a national study on the effects of goose grazing. Barnacle geese are protected by the EU Bird Directive, Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979, however the protection afforded to the birds by the directive has boundaries and exceptions. In terms of Powhillon (an agricultural holding) the protection ended when it could be proven that the geese could potentially cause serious damage to the crops and livestock foodstuffs. The reports were written to establish if the geese were inflicting damage and provide evidential proof of the requirement for a licence if any.
| Year | Official | Application Date | Date of Response | Outcome |
|---|
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 table.
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1978
Caerlaverock
forever missed
Barnacle Geese
Simmental Cross
September equinox
In Loving Memory
WWT
Animal Rights Farming
Wader Habitat Destruction
Gary McAteer Beltrami
"doesn't contain antibodies"
Procurator Fiscal
Sheriff