FURTHER to the recent letter by John Gill regarding the RSPB and bird protection (HAS, Dec 3) I feel that I must put the other side of the debate forward.

Corvids, mainly crows and magpies, are a real threat to British song birds, young rabbits and sheep to name. I will not go into detail regarding the activities of these disgusting creatures as many readers will be tucking into their breakfast.

The less sickening activities include raiding many breeding birds nests for the eggs. I have witnessed this on many occasions. When was the last time you saw the once common songthrush?

Regarding gamebirds, the majority are hand reared, released and fed at feeding stations. They are there to be shot by people with too much money. Not really a sport when you blast a semi-tame bird with a 12 bore.

In conclusion I will not hesitate to shoot corvids if I get near enough. We have pheasants and English partridge on our fields. I shoot neither, as one is endangered and if I shot a pheasant I, too, would be endangered (courtesy of my wife).

Bob Radcliffe,

Darlington.