Sir, – In response to the letter from a Blairgowrie reader regarding the absence of red squirrels, I can comment as follows.
We have been in the our house now for 17 years and have an abundance of red squirrels who frequent our bird feeders and gorge themselves.
We have as many as five red squirrels at a time all trying to be nut master and chasing off any young upstart that might be trying to usurp their territory.
These delightful creatures can be viewed through windows only a foot away from their munching without being disturbed. Maybe glass reflection gives us anonymity.
This activity appears to continue throughout the year with feeders being regularly replenished every other day until the Angus Ball.
This happy event takes place every year in the third week of September, at the same time as the start of the rut.
We have a deer farm across the South Esk about 200 yards from our house.
The noise of the rut lasts well over a month and coincides with an absence of red squirrels from our bird tables. Now I cannot say that the Angus Ball causes the rut which absents the red squirrels but I can say that these events occur every year at the same time. Needless to say, the squirrels do return in November when the rut expires for the year with exhausted deer and long term plans are afoot for the next Angus Ball.
Rabbits and raptors continue as before.
This may well not explain the absence of red squirrels in Blairgowrie but it does appear to be a local feature here in Angus.
Iain Ellvers.
Eskhill House,
Forfar.
Smacking in name of religion
Sir, – It is curious that the Be Reasonable organisation opposing the Scottish Government’s ban on smacking is supported by the Christian Institute. (October 20).
A brief Google search establishes many instances of Christian schools and campaigners either demanding to be able to spank children as a religious or even biblical right, or actively encouraging such chastisement with guides on how to proceed and what implements to use.
In one memorable case in 2002, a group of 40 Christian independent schools threatened to take the government of the day to the European Court of Human Rights over its decision to ban corporal punishment, arguing that this interfered with their religious freedom.
The school leading the action, based in Liverpool, had a policy at the time to use a wooden ruler to smack young children on the bottom, and a wooden spoon or paddle for older children. Their legal action failed.
With all the revelations since of child sex abuse and other physical violence in both secular and particularly faith schools and other religious institutions, surely it ill behooves Christian campaigners today to speak out against an outright smacking ban.
Alistair McBay.
National Secular Society,
5 Atholl Crescent,
Edinburgh.
Children must be disciplined
Sir, – I feel that the proposal to ban smacking children is absolutely ridiculous.
It is a wrong decision and disproportionate to ordinary family life in Scotland.
There needs to be a common sense approach on this issue. There is a world of difference between a tap on the hand, a clip round the ear or a light smack in order to bring a child into line who will not take any notice of a parent’s authority, and violent physical abuse.
Since the belt in schools was banned, teachers are leaving the profession because of the verbal and physical abuse they are subjected to because children now “know their rights”.
What will be the deterrent for bad behaviour at home? There is none now in schools.
What next, giving a child a telling off will be seen as verbal humiliation?
To the nanny state in Scotland I say leave parenting to parents, otherwise the police, courts and social services will end up in an even worse mess by having to police this nonsense
I was given the occasional smack as a child and I deserved it and it did me no harm.
Gordon Kennedy.
117 Simpson Square,
Perth.
Two parties in turmoil
Sir, – I was bemused by the letter from your correspondent Malcolm Parkin which stated that: “If Britain had a Labour Party that knew where to draw the line, instead of one driven by Marxist dogma…it might be possible to work with the Conservatives…to resolve and end the present Brexit nightmare”.
Well, I would have to say that the Labour Party have not exactly covered themselves in glory over Brexit, putting their own interests before their responsibilities as the official opposition, sitting on the fence, waiting to see how things develop, before, they hope, jumping off at the most opportune moment to gain the most political advantage.
But to suggest that they are responsible for the Brexit mess is a bit much.
The Tories chose to have a referendum to sort out Ukip and their own right wing.
They were divided during the referendum campaign, and allowed their Brexit wing to lie and misinform.
They then called an unnecessary election to bolster their position in government, which left them mortally wounded and now they stagger on, still divided, allowing the hard Brexiteers to rule the roost, and making a mockery of the negotiations with the EU.
A plague on both their houses I would say.
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
Poor research by broadcaster
Sir, – There was a time when the BBC could be trusted to give out accurate, balanced and well-researched information.
Sadly, now fake and unreliable half truths are its stock and trade.
The other day it showed us eagles flown by falconers over the Shetland Islands.
The farmer who owned the land had employed them to scare off migrating geese from eating his grass and winter barley.
The falconer said there were thousands of geese in the field the day before when he flew his birds but not one that day.
Geese will land and graze on grass but don’t look for them in the same area next day.
Geese know that it takes around four days for the grass to rejuvenate and that is when they will return, to find new succulent shoots.
Who are the bird brains in this story, the farmer, the falconers or the BBC? Certainly not the geese!
Walter Hamilton.
Flat Three,
City Park,
City Road,
St Andrews.
