Unfortunately, there is a belief among some farmers, fish and agricultural, that by displaying dead or injured/captive birds of species that are believed to impact crops, this will in some way prevent other birds from coming.
The fact is that this kind of activity has absolutely no impact whatsoever, and simply results in unnecessary cruelty. Birds are not that intelligent, I'm afraid. They respond to disturbance or exclusion, but are not 'threatened' in this way.
I must say, however, that I have not seen a cormorant exhibited in this way for a number of years, and I believe this is because they have seen the real benefits provided by the wiring of fish ponds.
Geoff Carey
