Lead shot ingestion in birds

[Old farrier]

17 minutes ago, jall25 said:

Thinking about the big shoots - i do wonder if some of the smaller one would actually pollute more

Big commercial shoots have many drives - and may only do one or two of them a month - whereas the small medium shoot are shooting the same ground all the time 

Just a thought really based on our own small sized shoot 

Possibly wondering what you usual shot count would be on a day ? 🤔
im thinking you might have limited drives on a small area maybe 8/10 usually shot from the same pegs (slightly varying depending upon wind) and 8/10 guns shooting a bag of 100 probably 250/300 shots a day 6/8 times a year equating to the same as a big shoot per day 

just a thought on limited information 🤔

11 minutes ago, Stonepark said:

If that research has been done on comparative scientific studies, why aren't BASC quoting it? 

 

Why isn't the headline switch over to "this" shot which does not cause birds deaths and here is the proof....... because all heavy metals used are toxic when ingested, especially in their oxide form.

 

More birds are killed by bacterial contamination of water source causing poisoning caused by fetiliser and sewage pollution than lead poisoning and yet that one is completely ignored and is a larger threat to animal and human health than all the lead mined and shot in history.

More birds are killed by cats annually than lead poisoning

More birds are killed by cars annually than lead poisoning

 

The truth is BASC has not performed it's function to protect shooting and to provide the evidence required to do so and with over 100,000 members and an annual income of over £12,000,000 per annum cannot somehow carry out or commission a study which would provide the definative answer for a few thousand pounds.

 

Good post 😊👍

[Konor]

13 minutes ago, jall25 said:

Thinking about the big shoots - i do wonder if some of the smaller one would actually pollute more

Big commercial shoots have many drives - and may only do one or two of them a month - whereas the small medium shoot are shooting the same ground all the time 

Just a thought really based on our own small sized shoot 

Regardless of the amount of lead shot that is spread into the air carrying various distances at various angles from pegs that may change position depending on the wind on the day if there is no scientific data to quantify any detriment as a result then where is the scientific basis for increased lead shot restrictions. The presence of lead shot alone is not in itself sufficient reason to bring about increased restrictions.

If the incidence of ingestion is said to be in very low single figures on estate shoots and there is no observable impact from those figures then the research is missing a crucial element which is quantifiable data that demonstrates the effect on the bird population of lead shot carriage. If the extent of harm is unable to be quantified then how is it credible to insist on any restriction of lead shot use. 
 As BASC’s present stance is the opposition of further restrictions I find it bizarre that the main voice calling for more lead restrictions is a BASC representative hence my earlier post questioning whether Conor’s posts are personal or on behalf of BASC.  
 The whole issue of lead shot use is riddled with politics and this thread illustrates that even representatives of BASC in this case are reluctant to openly debate if it casts doubt on the research they are quoting to substantiate their own personal views.

[Gas seal]

Hi Conor you ask members for evidence on lead shot ingestion by birds. As a wildflower l stopped using lead shot to shoot wildfowl twenty five years ago. If lead shot gun pellets are safe for birds to ingest and wildflowers were allowed to use lead pellets again I don’t think any would use it, in the U.K.or the USA . 

I noticed some members use steel shot for woodpigeon would they have any input for you as to why they changed to steel and  do they think any lead shot woodpigeon left in the field have any effect on any birds eating them.
  It wouldn’t be lawful to feed or given as grit any shotgun pellets to live poultry.  
 When I kept pigeons I was always told it’s important to keep good grit in the loft if I wanted healthy birds and eggs.

 Clay pigeon shooting at the Olympic Games have to use nets to collect the spent shot. 

 A lot of change in the world of shooting, a lot more change to come for us all.

[Konor]

1 hour ago, Stonepark said:

The truth is BASC has not performed it's function to protect shooting and to provide the evidence required to do so and with over 100,000 members and an annual income of over £12,000,000 per annum cannot somehow carry out or commission a study which would provide the definative answer for a few thousand pounds.

 As yet there has been absolutely no scientific data cited that quantifies the supposed problem that further lead shot legislation is claimed will solve. What is not in dispute is the inadequacy of our representatives to defend our sport and insist on scientific evidence being provided before accepting the need for any further change.

Could the reason for continually presenting old studies on lead shot ingestion which DEFRA declared irrelevant in 2016 be to move focus away from the inability of BASC to protect shooting and the inadequacies of staff who consider it more appropriate to support the extension of lead shot restrictions rather than insisting on robust scientific research that seeks to quantify any problem that may or may not exist before any decisions on further restrictions are made.

 

Edited Wednesday at 23:34 by Konor
Clarification

[Weihrauch17]

33 minutes ago, Konor said:

 As yet there has been absolutely no scientific data cited that quantifies the supposed problem that further lead shot legislation is claimed will solve. What is not in dispute is the inadequacy of our representatives to defend our sport and insist on scientific evidence being provided before accepting the need for any further change.

Could the reason for continually presenting old studies on lead shot ingestion which DEFRA declared irrelevant in 2016 be to move focus away from the inability of BASC to protect shooting and the inadequacies of staff who consider it more appropriate to support the extension of lead shot restrictions rather than insisting on robust scientific research that seeks to quantify any problem that may or may not exist before any decisions on further restrictions are made.

 

John Swift set their agenda many years ago and they honoured him for it.  Says it all.

[Konor]

2 minutes ago, Weihrauch17 said:

John Swift set their agenda many years ago and they honoured him for it.  Says it all.

There’s certainly little transparency and with BASC representatives quite happy to ignore official policy and promote views that only add credibility to the call for further restrictions it’s a confusing picture 

[jall25]

8 hours ago, Old farrier said:

Possibly wondering what you usual shot count would be on a day ? 🤔
im thinking you might have limited drives on a small area maybe 8/10 usually shot from the same pegs (slightly varying depending upon wind) and 8/10 guns shooting a bag of 100 probably 250/300 shots a day 6/8 times a year equating to the same as a big shoot per day 

just a thought on limited information 🤔

Good post 😊👍

 

Morning Old Farrier

We stand 13 guns - do the same drives maybe one a fortnight and might have 150 / 200 shots on some of the bigger drives - so could be nearly as bad or even worse 

We have gone all steel because we have lots of water and have found no issues at all with it 

[Old farrier]

28 minutes ago, jall25 said:

 

Morning Old Farrier

We stand 13 guns - do the same drives maybe one a fortnight and might have 150 / 200 shots on some of the bigger drives - so could be nearly as bad or even worse 

We have gone all steel because we have lots of water and have found no issues at all with it 

Thanks for the info more a medium sized shoot possibly 100 each the same as if you were at a clay ground it’s hard to judge without seeing the area but hardly a large commercial entity 

[Konor]

59 minutes ago, jall25 said:

We stand 13 guns - do the same drives maybe one a fortnight and might have 150 / 200 shots on some of the bigger drives - so could be nearly as bad or even worse 

Morning jall25 it’s interesting that you consider this a small shoot but I guess in comparison to the large commercial shoots it is smaller scale. Our own shoot averages a steady mixed bag of around 25 and includes duck woodcock and pheasants. Walk and stand with 5 or at most 6 drives usually. I guess we average out around 2 to 3 cartridges per bird so shots per day would probably be around 50 to 75..Game is divided up at the end of the day between around 10 guns. Can I ask what is your average daily bag and whether it is shared amongst the guns or sent to a game dealer ?

[jall25]

3 hours ago, Konor said:

Morning jall25 it’s interesting that you consider this a small shoot but I guess in comparison to the large commercial shoots it is smaller scale. Our own shoot averages a steady mixed bag of around 25 and includes duck woodcock and pheasants. Walk and stand with 5 or at most 6 drives usually. I guess we average out around 2 to 3 cartridges per bird so shots per day would probably be around 50 to 75..Game is divided up at the end of the day between around 10 guns. Can I ask what is your average daily bag and whether it is shared amongst the guns or sent to a game dealer ?

Hiya Konor

We averaged this year 85 head - and had 14 days shooting

We averaged 1:4 - but we try and bring on the lads so we may have 2/3 each week under maybe 13/14 years of age - and then we have a couple slowing down a bit mid 80s !

We dont shoot woodcock but put down 2300 pheasants and 600 partridge We also shoot a few duck - as i have made a lot of ponds but i mainly save these for beaters 

Our best ever day was 203 last year and i was a little worried if the game would all be taken and expected filling my own freezer - but honestly nothing was left - not even a feather ! We even have a chap who takes squirrels to eat !

We do have a lot of people attend the shoot as the land is mainly woods and can be hard going to find the birds in the brambles / cover - so we might have 20 beaters / 5 pickers up - 3/4 flaggers plus all the guns - a game cart man - so sometimes its a battle who takes the birds - not if any are ever left

[Conor O'Gorman]

13 hours ago, Stonepark said:

If that research has been done on comparative scientific studies, why aren't BASC quoting it? 

 

Why isn't the headline switch over to "this" shot which does not cause birds deaths and here is the proof....... because all heavy metals used are toxic when ingested, especially in their oxide form.

 

More birds are killed by bacterial contamination of water source causing poisoning caused by fetiliser and sewage pollution than lead poisoning and yet that one is completely ignored and is a larger threat to animal and human health than all the lead mined and shot in history.

More birds are killed by cats annually than lead poisoning

More birds are killed by cars annually than lead poisoning

 

The truth is BASC has not performed it's function to protect shooting and to provide the evidence required to do so and with over 100,000 members and an annual income of over £12,000,000 per annum cannot somehow carry out or commission a study which would provide the definative answer for a few thousand pounds.

 

Yes, I agree, birds die from all sorts of causes and 'whataboutery' for causes like cats etc has been used in the past to deflect from the impact of lead shot. The issue we are discussing here is evidence of lead shot ingestion for some bird species and in relation to your other points the voluntary move away from lead shot for live quarry shooting showcases that the shooting community recognises the issue and is taking ownership of it. It's your individual choice.

Here is the study I mentioned in relation to your question on comparative studies for some shot types:

Acute toxicity of lead, steel, and an iron-tungsten-nickel shot to mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/9044267_Acute_toxicity_of_lead_steel_and_an_iron-tungsten-nickel_shot_to_mallard_ducks_Anas_platyrhynchos

See also:

Chemical imaging reveals environmental risk of minor tungsten and lead shotgun pellet constituents during weathering in soil

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37088395/

Release of copper from sintered tungsten–bronze shot under different pH conditions and its potential toxicity to aquatic organisms

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6529209_Release_of_copper_from_sintered_tungsten-bronze_shot_under_different_pH_conditions_and_its_potential_toxicity_to_aquatic_organisms

 

Edited Thursday at 12:20 by Conor O'Gorman

[Conor O'Gorman]

13 hours ago, Gas seal said:

Hi Conor you ask members for evidence on lead shot ingestion by birds. As a wildflower l stopped using lead shot to shoot wildfowl twenty five years ago. If lead shot gun pellets are safe for birds to ingest and wildflowers were allowed to use lead pellets again I don’t think any would use it, in the U.K.or the USA . 

I noticed some members use steel shot for woodpigeon would they have any input for you as to why they changed to steel and  do they think any lead shot woodpigeon left in the field have any effect on any birds eating them.
  It wouldn’t be lawful to feed or given as grit any shotgun pellets to live poultry.  
 When I kept pigeons I was always told it’s important to keep good grit in the loft if I wanted healthy birds and eggs.

 Clay pigeon shooting at the Olympic Games have to use nets to collect the spent shot. 

 A lot of change in the world of shooting, a lot more change to come for us all.

Thanks. When the lead shot regulations came into force from 1999 onwards for wetlands and/or wildfowl it was a rather abrupt ban based on the UK signing an international treaty aimed at wetlands which included a commitment to phase out lead shot in wetlands. It took years for ammunition to catch up as you know with many wildfowlers getting into home-loading. Some countries that also signed up to the treaty waited many more years, even decades to implement restrictions on lead shot in wetlands. The evidence is there for lead shot ingestion by birds in wetlands and outside wetlands. I will post evidence for more bird species. The wider question being asked amongst feedback in this thread is whether the evidence warrants change. In February 2020 the shooting organisations decided change was needed, and that has been via a voluntary transition away from lead shot for live quarry shooting. But now, post-Brexit, we have the Health and Safety Executive recommendations to government on banning many uses of lead ammunition, which BASC has opposed in its submissions to the review. If the government acts on the recommendations there would be a five year transition period before a ban on lead shot for live quarry shooting. However, WWT etc are campaigning for a ban on all lead ammunition with an 18 month transition period. What happens next is anyone's guess given what's been happening on firearms fees and licensing.

[Konor]

2 hours ago, jall25 said:

Hiya Konor

We averaged this year 85 head - and had 14 days shooting

We averaged 1:4 - but we try and bring on the lads so we may have 2/3 each week under maybe 13/14 years of age - and then we have a couple slowing down a bit mid 80s !

We dont shoot woodcock but put down 2300 pheasants and 600 partridge We also shoot a few duck - as i have made a lot of ponds but i mainly save these for beaters 

Our best ever day was 203 last year and i was a little worried if the game would all be taken and expected filling my own freezer - but honestly nothing was left - not even a feather ! We even have a chap who takes squirrels to eat !

We do have a lot of people attend the shoot as the land is mainly woods and can be hard going to find the birds in the brambles / cover - so we might have 20 beaters / 5 pickers up - 3/4 flaggers plus all the guns - a game cart man - so sometimes its a battle who takes the birds - not if any are ever left

Thanks that’s enlightening and certainly shows that it is possible to carry out what I would call a larger scale shoot and still not have to resort to the game dealer to take care of the game harvested. Sounds like a great set up and contrasts with our own shoot 500 birds down and a proportionate smaller days bag. Thankfully our shoot is carried out over two larger farms with plenty of rough cover and woods so holds the birds well and spreads them out so days out are enjoyable and incorporate a good bit of walking.

[Conor O'Gorman]

Red-legged partridge 

Incidence of lead shot ingestion in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa ) in Great Britain

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16299369/

144 hunter-killed birds were collected randomly from 10 reared estates after shoot days during the 2001/02 season. The sample size from each estate ranged from 10 to 33, depending on availability. The shooting estates were located in the Midlands, East Anglia and the southern counties of England. The level of gamebird hunting varied between the estates.

Two (1.4 %) gizzards of the 144 hunter-killed birds contained ingested lead shot. Both birds were male and they had been collected from different estates.

Lead-shot exposure in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) on a driven shooting estate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23233390_Lead-Shot_Exposure_in_Red-Legged_Partridge_Alectoris_rufa_on_a_Driven_Shooting_Estate

In 2004, 20% of partridges sampled (10 birds) had ingested Pb shot-pellets in the gizzard in contrast with only 1.5% in 2006 (66 birds). Particle size in diet, grit size composition, and shot ingestion prevalence were significantly higher in 2004 than in 2006, indicating that supplying partridges with large seeds (i.e., corn) may increase the risk of Pb shot ingestion. Moving shooting lines into croplands and controlling seed size used for diet supplementation may reduce shot ingestion.

 

[Konor]

2 hours ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

The wider question being asked amongst feedback in this thread is whether the evidence warrants change. In February 2020 the shooting organisations decided change was needed

Was the decision taken ,because “change was needed” , due to evidence presented  that quantified the impact of lead shot inland. If so what was the evidence that was submitted ? Or was it a political decision based on a precautionary principle , the game meat market or other political considerations? In a nutshell what specific information caused the shooting organisations that did so to issue their backing for a voluntary cessation of the use of lead shot that has morphed into information being fed into the internet that now supports a total lead ban.

[jall25]

18 minutes ago, Konor said:

Thanks that’s enlightening and certainly shows that it is possible to carry out what I would call a larger scale shoot and still not have to resort to the game dealer to take care of the game harvested. Sounds like a great set up and contrasts with our own shoot 500 birds down and a proportionate smaller days bag. Thankfully our shoot is carried out over two larger farms with plenty of rough cover and woods so holds the birds well and spreads them out so days out are enjoyable and incorporate a good bit of walking.

Sounds great

We just shoot over 250 acres or so

It was half commercial forestry with the other half improved grassland - but tbh i like the conservation aspect as much as the shooting - so the trees went - the fert / poisons went - hedges planted - covers planted - ponds dug - And here we are - Took a good few years but great to see and here the life now - Not to take the thread off kilter too much but we got second at the Purdeys this year 

[Conor O'Gorman]

3 minutes ago, Konor said:

Was the decision taken ,because “change was needed” , due to evidence presented  that quantified the impact of lead shot inland. If so what was the evidence that was submitted ? Or was it a political decision based on a precautionary principle , the game meat market or other political considerations? In a nutshell what specific information caused the shooting organisations that did so to issue their backing for a voluntary cessation of the use of lead shot that has morphed into information being fed into the internet that now supports a total lead ban.

Multiple reasons, as outlined here:

https://basc.org.uk/ammunition/moving-away-from-lead/

 

[Konor]

2 minutes ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

Red-legged partridge 

Incidence of lead shot ingestion in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa ) in Great Britain

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16299369/

144 hunter-killed birds were collected randomly from 10 reared estates after shoot days during the 2001/02 season. The sample size from each estate ranged from 10 to 33, depending on availability. The shooting estates were located in the Midlands, East Anglia and the southern counties of England. The level of gamebird hunting varied between the estates.

Two (1.4 %) gizzards of the 144 hunter-killed birds contained ingested lead shot. Both birds were male and they had been collected from different estates.

Lead-shot exposure in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) on a driven shooting estate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23233390_Lead-Shot_Exposure_in_Red-Legged_Partridge_Alectoris_rufa_on_a_Driven_Shooting_Estate

In 2004, 20% of partridges sampled (10 birds) had ingested Pb shot-pellets in the gizzard in contrast with only 1.5% in 2006 (66 birds). Particle size in diet, grit size composition, and shot ingestion prevalence were significantly higher in 2004 than in 2006, indicating that supplying partridges with large seeds (i.e., corn) may increase the risk of Pb shot ingestion. Moving shooting lines into croplands and controlling seed size used for diet supplementation may reduce shot ingestion.

 

Yet again all data available prior to 2016 and deemed insufficient to sway DEFRA from concluding that there was insufficient evidence to justify further restrictions on the use of lead shot.

[Conor O'Gorman]

7 minutes ago, Konor said:

Yet again all data available prior to 2016 and deemed insufficient to sway DEFRA from concluding that there was insufficient evidence to justify further restrictions on the use of lead shot.

Here is the letter:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f93cf40f0b6230269052d/truss-letter-ammunition-wildlife-160712.pdf

You keep referring to a lead ban. Who is calling for a lead ban? BASC is not. I am not. This is a thread looking at evidence of lead shot ingestion in birds. I am working through quarry species to begin with and will update with another bird species soon. So far we have covered grey partridge, red grouse, pheasant and red-legged partridge.

[Konor]

3 minutes ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

Multiple reasons, as outlined here:

https://basc.org.uk/ammunition/moving-away-from-lead/

 

In your link neither of the reasons citing harm to wildlife or the environment have any attached data to quantify or put in context the extent of harm to wildlife and the environment caused by lead shot deposition to support the reason why cessation of lead shot use inland is desirable.  A cynic might conclude that the as yet undefined risks to wildlife and the environment were added to support the “to ensure a market for the healthiest game products at home and abroad”  For a science based case there seems to be little scientific data.

24 minutes ago, jall25 said:

Sounds great

We just shoot over 250 acres or so

It was half commercial forestry with the other half improved grassland - but tbh i like the conservation aspect as much as the shooting - so the trees went - the fert / poisons went - hedges planted - covers planted - ponds dug - And here we are - Took a good few years but great to see and here the life now - Not to take the thread off kilter too much but we got second at the Purdeys this year 

A great result and probably well deserved.👍

[Conor O'Gorman]

2 minutes ago, Konor said:

In your link neither of the reasons citing harm to wildlife or the environment have any attached data to quantify or put in context the extent of harm to wildlife and the environment caused by lead shot deposition to support the reason why cessation of lead shot use inland is desirable.  A cynic might conclude that the as yet undefined risks to wildlife and the environment were added to support the “to ensure a market for the healthiest game products at home and abroad”  For a science based case there seems to be little scientific data.

The GWCT provided the scientific advice and review in support of a voluntary move away from lead shot for live quarry shooting. Lots of information here:

https://www.gwct.org.uk/advisory/lead-ammunition/

That included a non-exhaustive list of research papers as follows:

References

Pain, D.J., Cromie, R.L. & Green, R.E. (2015). Poisoning of UK birds and other wildlife from ammunition-derived lead. In: The Oxford Lead Symposium. Lead Ammunition: understanding and minimising the risks to human and environmental health.: 58–84. (eds. Delahay, R.J. & Spray, C.J.) Edward Grey Institute, University of Oxford. Oxford.

Ganz, K., Jenni, L., Madry, M.M., Kraemer, T., Jenny, H. & Jenny, D. (2018). Acute and Chronic Lead Exposure in Four Avian Scavenger Species in Switzerland. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 75:566–575.

Tavecchia, G., Pradel, R., Lebreton, J.-D., Johnson, A.R. & Mondain-Monval, J.-Y. (2001). The effect of lead exposure on survival of adult mallards in the Camargue, southern France. Journal of Applied Ecology, 38:1197–1207.

Burger, J. & Gochfeld, M. (2000). Effects of lead on birds (Laridae): a review of laboratory and field studies. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 3:59–78.

Burger, J. & Gochfeld, M. (2005). Effects of lead on learning in herring gulls: an avian wildlife model for neurobehavioral deficits. Neurotoxicology, 26:615–624.

Kelly, A. & Kelly, S. (2005). Are mute swans with elevated blood lead levels more likely to collide with overhead power lines? Waterbirds, 28:331–334.

Pain, D.J., Cromie, R.L., Newth, J.L., Brown, M.J., Crutcher, E., Hardman, P., Hurst, L., Mateo, R., Meharg, A.A., Oran, A.C., Raab, A., Taggart, M.A. & Green, R.E. (2010). Potential hazard to human health from exposure to fragments of lead bullets and shot in the tissues of game animals. PLoS ONE, 5:e10315.

Sainsbury, A., Bennett, P. & Kirkwood, J. (1995). The welfare of free-living wild animals in Europe: harm caused by human activities. Animal Welfare, 4:183–206.

Pain, D.J., Bavoux, C. & Burneleau, G. (1997). Seasonal blood lead concentrations in marsh harriers Circus aeruginosus from Charente-Maritime, France: Relationship with the hunting season. Biological Conservation, 81:1–7.

Beintema, N.H. (2001). Lead poisoning in waterbirds: International Update Report 2000. Wageningen.

Martinez-Haro, M., Taggart, M.A., Martín-Doimeadiós, R.R.C., Green, A.J. & Mateo, R. (2011). Identifying sources of Pb exposure in waterbirds and effects on porphyrin metabolism using noninvasive fecal sampling. Environmental Science and Technology, 45:6153–6159.

Newth, J.L., Cromie, R.L., Brown, M.J., Delahay, R.J., Meharg, A.A., Deacon, C., Norton, G.J., O’Brien, M.F. & Pain, D.J. (2012). Poisoning from lead gunshot: Still a threat to wild waterbirds in Britain. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 59:195–204.

Pain, D.J., Amiard-Triquet, C. & Sylvestre, C. (1992). Tissue lead concentrations and shot ingestion in nine species of waterbirds from the camargue (France). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 24:217–233.

AEWA. (2011). Literature review: effects of the use of lead fishing weights on waterbirds and wetlands. Doc StC Inf. 7.6, 1-20. Bergen.

Butler, D.A., Sage, R.B., Draycott, R.A.H., Carroll, J.P. & Potts, G.R. (2005). Lead exposure in ring-necked pheasants on shooting estates in Great Britain. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 33:583–589.

Potts, G.R. (2005). Incidence of ingested lead gunshot in wild grey partridges (Perdix perdix) from the UK. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 51:31–34.

Thomas, V.G., Scheuhammer, A.M. & Bond, D.E. (2009). Bone lead levels and lead isotope ratios in red grouse from Scottish and Yorkshire moors. Science of the Total Environment, 407:3494–3502.

Walker, L.A., Chaplow, J.S., Lawlor, A.J., Pereira, M.G., Potter, E.D., Sainsbury, A.W. & Shore, R.F. (2013). Lead (Pb) concentrations in predatory bird livers 2010 and 2011: a Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) report. Lancaster, UK.

Vallverdú-Coll, N., López-Antia, A., Martinez-Haro, M., Ortiz-Santaliestra, M.E. & Mateo, R. (2015). Altered immune response in mallard ducklings exposed to lead through maternal transfer in the wild. Environmental Pollution, 205:350–356.

Newth, J.L., Rees, E.C., Cromie, R.L., McDonald, R.A., Bearhop, S., Pain, D.J., Norton, G.J., Deacon, C. & Hilton, G.M. (2016). Widespread exposure to lead affects the body condition of free-living whooper swans Cygnus cygnus wintering in Britain. Environmental Pollution, 209:60–67.

Ecke, F., Singh, N.J., Arnemo, J.M., Bignert, A., Helander, B., Berglund, Å.M.M., Borg, H., Bröjer, C., Holm, K., Lanzone, M., Miller, T., Nordström, Å., Räikkönen, J., Rodushkin, I., Ågren, E. & Hörnfeldt, B. (2017). Sublethal Lead Exposure Alters Movement Behavior in Free-Ranging Golden Eagles. Environmental Science and Technology, 51:5729–5736.

Lead Ammunition Group. (2015). Lead Ammunition, Wildlife and Human Health.

Harradine, J. & Leake, A. (2013). Lead Ammunition and Wildlife in England (UK). Lead Ammunition, Wildlife and Human Health: Appendix 3:

Butler, D. (2005). Incidence of lead shot ingestion in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) in Great Britain. Veterinary Record, 157:661.

Scheuhammer, A.M., Bond, D.E., Burgess, N.M. & Rodrigue, J. (2003). Lead and stable lead isotope ratios in soil, earthworms, and bones of American woodcock (Scolopax minor) from eastern Canada. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 22:2585–2591.

Russell, R.E. & Franson, J.C. (2014). Causes of mortality in eagles submitted to the National Wildlife Health Center 1975-2013. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 38:697–704.

Hunt, W.G., Burnham, W., Parish, C.N., Burnham, K.K., Mutch, B. & Oaks, J.L. (2006). Bullet Fragments in Deer Remains: Implications for Lead Exposure in Avian Scavengers. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34:167–170.

Mateo, R. (2008). Lead poisoning in wild birds in Europe and the regulations adopted by different countries. In: Ingestion of Lead from Spent Ammunition: Implications for Wildlife and Humans: 71–98. (eds. Watson, R.T., Fuller, M., Pokras, M. & Hunt, G.) The Peregrine Fund, Boise, USA.

Kurosawa, N. (2000). Lead poisoning in Steller’s Sea Eagles and White-tailed Sea Eagles. In: First Symposium on Steller’s and White-tailed Sea Eagles in East Asia: 107–109. (eds. Ueta, M. & McGrady, M.J.) Wild Bird Society of Japan, Tokyo. 

Finkelstein, M.E., Doak, D.F., George, D., Burnett, J., Brandt, J., Church, M., Grantham, J. & Smith, D.R. (2012). Lead poisoning and the deceptive recovery of the critically endangered California condor. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 109:11449–11454.

Meyer, C.B., Meyer, J.S., Francisco, A.B., Holder, J. & Verdonck, F. (2016). Can ingestion of lead shot and poisons change population trends of three European birds: Grey partridge, common buzzard, and red kite? PLoS ONE, 11:e0147189.

Green, R.E. & Pain, D.J. (2016). Possible effects of ingested lead gunshot on populations of ducks wintering in the UK. Ibis, 158:699–710.

Pain, D.J. & Green, R.E. (2014). An evaluation of the risks to wildlife in the UK from lead derived from ammunition. Lead Ammunition, Wildlife and Human Health: Appendix 4: UK.

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Tackling lead ammunition poisoning | WWT. Available at: https://www.wwt.org.uk/our-work/projects/tackling-lead-ammunition-poisoning/#. (Accessed: 7 July 2021)

Kanstrup, N. (2019). Lessons learned from 33 years of lead shot regulation in Denmark. Ambio, 48:999–1008.

Envirochem Analytical Laboratories. Where is Lead Found? Available at: https://envirochem.co.uk/news/where-is-lead-found.html. (Accessed: 25 August 2021)

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. (2009). Code of Good Agricultural Practice for farmers, growers and land managers.

Tukker, A., Buist, H., van Oers, L. & van der Voet, E. (2006). Risks to health and environment of the use of lead in products in the EU. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 49:89–109.

Mateo, R. (2009). Lead Poisoning in Wild Birds in Europe and the Regulations Adopted by Different Countries. In: Ingestion of Lead from Spent Ammunition: Implications for Wildlife and Humans: 71–98. (eds. Watson, R.T., Fuller, M., Pokras, M. & Hunt, G.) The Peregrine Fund. Boise. doi:10.4080/ilsa.2009.0107

Mudge, G.P. (1983). The Incidence and Significance of Ingested Lead Pellet Poisoning in British Wildfowl. Biological Conservation, 27:333–372.

Edwards, J.R., Fossum, T.W., Nichols, K.J., Noah, D.L., Tarpley, R.J. & Prozialeck, W.C. (2017). One health: Children, waterfowl, and lead exposure in Northwestern Nigeria. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 117:370–376.

Friend, M. (1999). Lead. In: Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: General Field Procedures and Diseases of Birds: 317–334. (eds. Friend, M., Franson, J.C. & Ciganovich, E.A.) U.S. Geological Survey. Washington, D.C.

Green, R.E. & Pain, D.J. (2016). Possible effects of ingested lead gunshot on populations of ducks wintering in the UK. International Journal of Avian Science, 158:699–710.

Franson, J.C. & Pain, D.J. (2011). Lead in Birds. In: Environmental Contaminants in Biota: Interpreting Tissue Concentrations: 563–593. (eds. Beyer, W.N. & Meador, J.P.) Taylor and Francis. Boca Raton.

Finley, M.T. & Dieter, M.P. (1978). Influence of laying on lead accumulation in bone of mallard ducks. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 4:123–129.

Pain, D.J., Dickie, I., Green, R.E., Kanstrup, N. & Cromie, R.L. (2019). Wildlife, human and environmental costs of using lead ammunition: An economic review and analysis. Ambio, 48:969–988.

Quy, R. (2010). Review of evidence concerning the contamination of wildlife and the environment arising from the use of lead ammunition: A report to DEFRA. York, UK.

Pecsics, T., Laczi, M., Nagy, G. & Csörgő, T. (2017). The cranial morphometrics of the wildfowl (Anatidae). Ornis Hungarica, 25:44–57.

Pain, D.J. (1990). Lead shot ingestion by waterbirds in the Camargue, France: An investigation of levels and interspecific differences. Environmental Pollution, 66:273–285.

Aebischer, N.J. (2019). Fifty-year trends in UK hunting bags of birds and mammals, and calibrated estimation of national bag size, using GWCT’s National Gamebag Census. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 65:

Cromie, R.L., Loram, A., Hurst, L., O’Brien, M.F., Newth, J.L., Brown, M.J. & Harradine, J. (2010). Compliance With the Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot)(England) Regulations 1999. Bristol.

Pain, D.J. (1991). Why are lead-poisoned waterfowl rarely seen?: the disappearance of waterfowl carcasses in the Camargue, France. Wildfowl, 42:118–122.

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European Federation for Hunting and Conservation. (2020). What does the new regulation on banning lead shot over wetlands mean for Europe’s hunters? Available at: https://www.face.eu/2020/12/what-does-the-new-regulation-on-banning-lead-shot-over-wetlands-mean-for-europes-hunters/. (Accessed: 24 August 2021)

 

[Konor]

3 minutes ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

You keep referring to a lead ban. Who is calling for a lead ban?

Really Conor ? I would revisit your past minefields of lead and similar posts hardly a neutral stance on the subject. 

[Konor]

45 minutes ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

The GWCT provided the scientific advice and review in support of a voluntary move away from lead shot for live quarry shooting. Lots of information here:

https://www.gwct.org.uk/advisory/lead-ammunition/

That included a non-exhaustive list of research papers as follows:

References

Pain, D.J., Cromie, R.L. & Green, R.E. (2015). Poisoning of UK birds and other wildlife from ammunition-derived lead. In: The Oxford Lead Symposium. Lead Ammunition: understanding and minimising the risks to human and environmental health.: 58–84. (eds. Delahay, R.J. & Spray, C.J.) Edward Grey Institute, University of Oxford. Oxford.

Ganz, K., Jenni, L., Madry, M.M., Kraemer, T., Jenny, H. & Jenny, D. (2018). Acute and Chronic Lead Exposure in Four Avian Scavenger Species in Switzerland. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 75:566–575.

Tavecchia, G., Pradel, R., Lebreton, J.-D., Johnson, A.R. & Mondain-Monval, J.-Y. (2001). The effect of lead exposure on survival of adult mallards in the Camargue, southern France. Journal of Applied Ecology, 38:1197–1207.

Burger, J. & Gochfeld, M. (2000). Effects of lead on birds (Laridae): a review of laboratory and field studies. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 3:59–78.

Burger, J. & Gochfeld, M. (2005). Effects of lead on learning in herring gulls: an avian wildlife model for neurobehavioral deficits. Neurotoxicology, 26:615–624.

Kelly, A. & Kelly, S. (2005). Are mute swans with elevated blood lead levels more likely to collide with overhead power lines? Waterbirds, 28:331–334.

Pain, D.J., Cromie, R.L., Newth, J.L., Brown, M.J., Crutcher, E., Hardman, P., Hurst, L., Mateo, R., Meharg, A.A., Oran, A.C., Raab, A., Taggart, M.A. & Green, R.E. (2010). Potential hazard to human health from exposure to fragments of lead bullets and shot in the tissues of game animals. PLoS ONE, 5:e10315.

Sainsbury, A., Bennett, P. & Kirkwood, J. (1995). The welfare of free-living wild animals in Europe: harm caused by human activities. Animal Welfare, 4:183–206.

Pain, D.J., Bavoux, C. & Burneleau, G. (1997). Seasonal blood lead concentrations in marsh harriers Circus aeruginosus from Charente-Maritime, France: Relationship with the hunting season. Biological Conservation, 81:1–7.

Beintema, N.H. (2001). Lead poisoning in waterbirds: International Update Report 2000. Wageningen.

Martinez-Haro, M., Taggart, M.A., Martín-Doimeadiós, R.R.C., Green, A.J. & Mateo, R. (2011). Identifying sources of Pb exposure in waterbirds and effects on porphyrin metabolism using noninvasive fecal sampling. Environmental Science and Technology, 45:6153–6159.

Newth, J.L., Cromie, R.L., Brown, M.J., Delahay, R.J., Meharg, A.A., Deacon, C., Norton, G.J., O’Brien, M.F. & Pain, D.J. (2012). Poisoning from lead gunshot: Still a threat to wild waterbirds in Britain. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 59:195–204.

Pain, D.J., Amiard-Triquet, C. & Sylvestre, C. (1992). Tissue lead concentrations and shot ingestion in nine species of waterbirds from the camargue (France). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 24:217–233.

AEWA. (2011). Literature review: effects of the use of lead fishing weights on waterbirds and wetlands. Doc StC Inf. 7.6, 1-20. Bergen.

Butler, D.A., Sage, R.B., Draycott, R.A.H., Carroll, J.P. & Potts, G.R. (2005). Lead exposure in ring-necked pheasants on shooting estates in Great Britain. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 33:583–589.

Potts, G.R. (2005). Incidence of ingested lead gunshot in wild grey partridges (Perdix perdix) from the UK. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 51:31–34.

Thomas, V.G., Scheuhammer, A.M. & Bond, D.E. (2009). Bone lead levels and lead isotope ratios in red grouse from Scottish and Yorkshire moors. Science of the Total Environment, 407:3494–3502.

Walker, L.A., Chaplow, J.S., Lawlor, A.J., Pereira, M.G., Potter, E.D., Sainsbury, A.W. & Shore, R.F. (2013). Lead (Pb) concentrations in predatory bird livers 2010 and 2011: a Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) report. Lancaster, UK.

Vallverdú-Coll, N., López-Antia, A., Martinez-Haro, M., Ortiz-Santaliestra, M.E. & Mateo, R. (2015). Altered immune response in mallard ducklings exposed to lead through maternal transfer in the wild. Environmental Pollution, 205:350–356.

Newth, J.L., Rees, E.C., Cromie, R.L., McDonald, R.A., Bearhop, S., Pain, D.J., Norton, G.J., Deacon, C. & Hilton, G.M. (2016). Widespread exposure to lead affects the body condition of free-living whooper swans Cygnus cygnus wintering in Britain. Environmental Pollution, 209:60–67.

Ecke, F., Singh, N.J., Arnemo, J.M., Bignert, A., Helander, B., Berglund, Å.M.M., Borg, H., Bröjer, C., Holm, K., Lanzone, M., Miller, T., Nordström, Å., Räikkönen, J., Rodushkin, I., Ågren, E. & Hörnfeldt, B. (2017). Sublethal Lead Exposure Alters Movement Behavior in Free-Ranging Golden Eagles. Environmental Science and Technology, 51:5729–5736.

Lead Ammunition Group. (2015). Lead Ammunition, Wildlife and Human Health.

Harradine, J. & Leake, A. (2013). Lead Ammunition and Wildlife in England (UK). Lead Ammunition, Wildlife and Human Health: Appendix 3:

Butler, D. (2005). Incidence of lead shot ingestion in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) in Great Britain. Veterinary Record, 157:661.

Scheuhammer, A.M., Bond, D.E., Burgess, N.M. & Rodrigue, J. (2003). Lead and stable lead isotope ratios in soil, earthworms, and bones of American woodcock (Scolopax minor) from eastern Canada. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 22:2585–2591.

Russell, R.E. & Franson, J.C. (2014). Causes of mortality in eagles submitted to the National Wildlife Health Center 1975-2013. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 38:697–704.

Hunt, W.G., Burnham, W., Parish, C.N., Burnham, K.K., Mutch, B. & Oaks, J.L. (2006). Bullet Fragments in Deer Remains: Implications for Lead Exposure in Avian Scavengers. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34:167–170.

Mateo, R. (2008). Lead poisoning in wild birds in Europe and the regulations adopted by different countries. In: Ingestion of Lead from Spent Ammunition: Implications for Wildlife and Humans: 71–98. (eds. Watson, R.T., Fuller, M., Pokras, M. & Hunt, G.) The Peregrine 

Edited Thursday at 16:35 by Konor

[Conor O'Gorman]

Just now, Konor said:

Really Conor ? I would revisit your past minefields of lead and similar posts hardly a neutral stance on the subject. 

Here is what I wrote in Shooting Times last year on this:

I am not saying that chicks eating lead shot is a primary reason for the decline of wild greys in the UK. Without shooting interests keeping the remaining pockets of wild grey populations going they would be long extinct as a British breeding bird. What I’m suggesting is that lead shot is likely stifling our conservation efforts and perhaps we need to consider a fourth leg for that ‘three legged stool’ by moving away from lead shot where we can?

It does bemuse me that you think I support a lead ban. I have been fighting lead bans for BASC for over a decade. Have a look online for the evidence. But let's have a wee bit of fun and ask all knowing AI the question "Does Conor O'Gorman of BASC support a lead ban?"

Google Gemini

BASC, the organization Conor O'Gorman represents, supports a voluntary transition away from lead shot. They have worked to extend the timeline for this transition to ensure the shooting community is prepared.

While BASC is not against the idea of reducing lead in the environment, they advocate for a gradual and well-managed change.

Chat GPT

Conor O'Gorman, as the head of policy and campaigns at the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), has been actively involved in discussions regarding the proposed lead ammunition ban. BASC has advocated for a voluntary transition away from lead shot for live quarry shooting, emphasizing the need for effective and affordable non-lead alternatives before implementing legal restrictions. O'Gorman has expressed concerns about the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) proposals, particularly regarding the transition timelines and the availability of suitable non-lead ammunition. He has also highlighted the importance of evidence-based and proportionate restrictions, ensuring that any changes are realistic and guided by the shooting sector to meet market demands. 
In summary, while O'Gorman and BASC acknowledge the environmental concerns associated with lead ammunition, they advocate for a measured approach that considers the availability of alternatives and the practical implications for shooters.

Pi.ai

Hmm, I'm not seeing anything specific about Conor O'Gorman of BASC directly supporting a lead ban. However, there is a lot of discussion around BASC's stance on the HSE's proposals to restrict lead ammunition, with BASC advocating for a voluntary transition away from lead shot. It seems like this is a topic BASC and O'Gorman are quite involved in. 
 

[Konor]

I certainly have neither the time or inclination to trawl through all your posts regarding the minefields of lead and similar to illustrate your preference for a complete ban on the use of lead shot but would simply ask why you choose to spend your time posting studies surrounding the incidence of lead shot ingestion if it is not to convince forum members /readers of the desirability of achieving a lead ban inland.

If your goal was the protection of shooting sports surely you should be evaluating this data with a more critical eye. DEFRA who were neutral concluded using the evidence you are quoting that there was no case to bring about any further restrictions why is it that you, a BASC representative ,presents that same evidence that was available prior to 2016 as if you were making a case to justify the cessation of the use of lead shot.

 If as you say you are not against any further lead ban I look forward to your future posts that illustrate this. Perhaps a thread questioning the need for further lead shot legislation in light of the absence of scientific data to support such a move.