Foxes rob nests of the black-tailed Godwit, and because of that the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality wants hunters to be able to shoot the mammals beginning April 1. Bird experts oppose the plan.
Bird research organization SOVON, along with the countryside-management NGO Landschapsbeheer Nederland, conducted a study on the predators of meadow birds. As part of the study, Black-tailed Godwits were monitored with cameras. The full results of the study will be presented on 11 March.
A spokesperson has said that the research will not support the hunting of foxes. There is a great variety in the predators which threaten the godwits. Ermines, buzzards and seagulls are also preying on the godwits. The cameras even caught a domestic dog plundering a godwit nest. In addition there are areas where foxes live where they do not prey on protected birds.
