ANTI-SHOOTING CAMPAIGNERS are repeating their call for Moray Council to introduce a by-law that would completely ban wildfowling at Findhorn Bay.
The renewed call comes just a week after the Leader of Moray Council, George Alexander, warned wildfowlers that their failure to adhere to a voluntary permit system was forcing the hand of the local authority.
A spokesman for the Friends of Findhorn Bay, who have campaigned for an end to wildfowling on the local nature reserve for two years, insisted that since September there has been almost constant shooting from early morning until late at night.
They insist that many wildfowlers are showing a total disregard for the voluntary agreement – despite the repeated calls from local councillors. They also claim that police have been called out a number of times to the area as a result of complaints over excessive noise and shooting in close proximity to homes.
The spokesman also said that the ban on shooting on the Council-owned area of land had not deterred wildfowlers from shooting there, adding: “Two shooters had their guns confiscated for 24hours after shooting on Moray Council land – an although police looked into the matter the evidence was insufficient to bring about prosecution.
“Most mornings have seen shooters giving blatant disregard to the no shooting signage Moray Council recently erected on its land. The police have been on the council land three times in the last week to try to deal with the offences.
“Some mornings have seen up to 11 shooters lined along the southeast corner of the bay – the area many birds, including the red listed curlew, choose to reside over winter.
“It seems that as long as shooting is allowed on Findhorn Bay shooters will continue to ignore the law and any agreements. These last few weeks have seen endless amounts of shooting, and even a de-breasted goose hung on the Nature reserve information board. We have also seen Sunday shooting and the Scottish SPCA having to euthanize injured shot birds on the bay.
“Findhorn Bay Nature Reserve, RSPB and SNH have all agreed this situation cannot continue and that Moray council needs to act.
“Residents of the Bay cannot be expected to endure a further three months of this unacceptable behaviour. It is urgent that Moray Council moves forward and introduces a shooting by-law or ban on our local nature reserve as soon as possible.”
Friends of Findhorn Bay are now urging local residents to contact local councillors Claire Feaver and George Alexander as well as Moray Council with times and dates of shooting disturbance, while any illegal activity should be reported directly to the police on 101.