Monday, January 04, 2010

It’s good news for the birds

Britain is suffering from arctic conditions; December was the coldest for 13 years. On Saturday, it was minus 17C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Temperatures of minus 15C were being predicted in parts of Scotland and northern England over the next ten days. Shap in Cumbria was the coldest spot in the UK, with a temperature of minus 5.8C yesterday.

It isn’t all bad news though because the shooting of coot, mallard, moorhen and woodcock will be prohibited in Scotland from Monday after Roseanna Cunningham, the Environment Secretary, enforced a law that protects birds in severe weather. It is the first suspension of its kind for 13 years. The two-week ban follows advice from Scottish Natural Heritage that the weather was having an adverse effect on all wild birds.

In the meantime, spare a thought for those motorist who haven’t used their cars over the Christmas period and have got up this morning to find their car won’t start. Going back to work after a holiday is bad enough without having to call out the garage to get your car started.

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