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Old Nov 11, 2014, 7:09 am
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Swan brings Heathrow runway to a standstill

A swan has caused a queue of aircraft at Heathrow, leaving passengers waiting while staff tried to escort it from the runway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29998795
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Old Nov 11, 2014, 8:14 am
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If they'd shot it, then one plane load of passengers could have had roast swan for their meal - a real upgrade on the normal fare!
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Old Nov 11, 2014, 11:48 am
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Originally Posted by lhrsfo
If they'd shot it, then one plane load of passengers could have had roast swan for their meal - a real upgrade on the normal fare!
one swan for a whole plane!

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Old Nov 11, 2014, 11:57 am
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Swan!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfj9ydA-zXI

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Old Nov 11, 2014, 12:45 pm
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Originally Posted by TravellingSalesman
one swan for a whole plane!

you mean for F
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Old Nov 11, 2014, 2:16 pm
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Originally Posted by lhrsfo
If they'd shot it, then one plane load of passengers could have had roast swan for their meal - a real upgrade on the normal fare!
So if someone shoots the swan, the person who pulls the trigger gets prosecuted.

If someone orders someone to shoot the swan, that person gets prosecuted, the company gets prosecuted and the person who pulls the trigger gets prosecuted.

The only way they can shoot the swan without a licence is if there is a genuine safety concern (plane declares PAN/MAYDAY and can't divert for example). Inconvenience is not a defence which enables you to break the law. Nor are financial costs (although they can be a reason for issuance of a licence) And all airport staff working in bird control are taught that in training which gets refreshed regularly as are their managers.
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Old Nov 11, 2014, 3:41 pm
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Originally Posted by Jenbel
So if someone shoots the swan, the person who pulls the trigger gets prosecuted.

If someone orders someone to shoot the swan, that person gets prosecuted, the company gets prosecuted and the person who pulls the trigger gets prosecuted.

The only way they can shoot the swan without a licence is if there is a genuine safety concern (plane declares PAN/MAYDAY and can't divert for example). Inconvenience is not a defence which enables you to break the law. Nor are financial costs (although they can be a reason for issuance of a licence) And all airport staff working in bird control are taught that in training which gets refreshed regularly as are their managers.
It amazes me to read of cannot shoot the poor bird (cruel and unusual) or because of it's cute looks. This from people who eat slaughtered animals twice a day !
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Old Nov 11, 2014, 3:56 pm
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Originally Posted by HMPS
It amazes me to read of cannot shoot the poor bird (cruel and unusual) or because of it's cute looks. This from people who eat slaughtered animals twice a day !
The crown owns all the swans in the UK thats on of the reasons they are protected.
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Old Nov 11, 2014, 4:09 pm
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Different country and different laws in place, but did Capt. Sully ever get prosecuted for the two birds he killed while flying over LGA a few years ago?
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Old Nov 11, 2014, 6:33 pm
  #10  
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All wild birds are protected in the UK. There are some ifs and buts to that, but nothing which would apply to this swan in this situation.

Nothing to do with the Queen (and she only owns the ones on the Thames, not throughout the UK - but this is probably one of hers). A heron would have the same degree of protection.

In the UK, Capt Sully would not have been guilty of a crime - his act neither showed intent nor were reckless. As such, no charge to answer under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended.
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Old Nov 12, 2014, 12:17 am
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Originally Posted by Jenbel
So if someone shoots the swan, the person who pulls the trigger gets prosecuted.

If someone orders someone to shoot the swan, that person gets prosecuted, the company gets prosecuted and the person who pulls the trigger gets prosecuted.

The only way they can shoot the swan without a licence is if there is a genuine safety concern (plane declares PAN/MAYDAY and can't divert for example). Inconvenience is not a defence which enables you to break the law. Nor are financial costs (although they can be a reason for issuance of a licence) And all airport staff working in bird control are taught that in training which gets refreshed regularly as are their managers.



Last edited by DL2SXM; Nov 12, 2014 at 12:22 am
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Old Nov 12, 2014, 1:01 am
  #12  
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Originally Posted by DL2SXM
They're a notably protected bird in the UK...

Killing a swan was considered treason at one point in history.

They're now protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
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Old Nov 12, 2014, 2:46 am
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[QUOTE=Jenbel;23828343]All wild birds are protected in the UK. There are some ifs and buts to that, but nothing which would apply to this swan in this situation.

Nothing to do with the Queen (and she only owns the ones on the Thames, not throughout the UK - but this is probably one of hers). A heron would have the same degree of protection.



Today, the Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, but The Queen only exercises her ownership on certain stretches of the Thames and its surrounding tributaries.
from "The offical website of The British Monarchy"

So, technically the State in the form of the Crown which is technically the monarch, owns all Swans as above.

Last edited by lloydah; Nov 12, 2014 at 2:49 am Reason: added quote source
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Old Nov 12, 2014, 2:43 pm
  #14  
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Originally Posted by DL2SXM
Sorry for assuming people would be interested in the constraints the airport faces in this situation. I guess some just aren't interested - and have to demonstrate that publicly
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Old Nov 12, 2014, 3:17 pm
  #15  
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It's not only the UK where people get prosecuted for killing (or allowing it to happen) certain birds

hoot to kill and this as well
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