Letters / Slow down a bit
Readers cannot fail to notice the annual carnage of dead birds along Shetland’s faster roads in spring and summer.
Great Black-backed Gulls (swaabies) feeding on squashed rabbits are one of the most prominent victims, but common gulls (peerie maas) and black-headed gulls (black-keppit maas) often feed on insects along the roadside vegetation, and can inadvertently slip side-ways into the path of an on-coming vehicle.
The problem gets worse as summer progresses, since newly fledged juvenile gulls are particularly slow to respond to speeding traffic. Oystercatchers (shalders) also have an unfortunate habit of feeding along verges and are frequent road casualties.
Your driving licence requires you to be aware of potential hazards ahead. Hitting a swaabie at 60-80 mph will probably damage your vehicle, and if it comes through your windscreen (as has happened) can cause a serious accident at any speed. Nobody knows how much these road casualties affect bird populations, but it is certainly sad to see adult peerie maas killed so often near their breeding colonies.
So if you see a bird on the road ahead, whether a shalder pecking along the verge or a swaabie tugging at the remains of a rabbit, just slow down a bit and let be.
Helen Moncrieff
RSPB Shetland Manager
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.