In article , Larry
Stoter writes

I also understand perfectly well why some farmers do apply expensive
poisons - which are often more toxic than those available to the general
public. The molluscides are applied to increase yield and profit. These
molluscides are at least implicated, directly or indirectly, in the
decline of various bird species.

Aye, but is that because they poison the birds directly or because they
decimate the food chain so that the birds go elsewhere? You could apply
your same reasoning to our obsession with hygiene. This obsession means
there are fewer flies around and therefore fewer birds that eat the
flies. It's not just farmers who are depriving birds of their food.

What is really worrying us is the rate at which barns are being
converted into housing as more and more farmers are pushed out of
farming (why shouldn't a farmer have a decent standard of living?)
The nesting places for swallows are disappearing rapidly.
--
Jane Ransom in Lancaster.
I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg
but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms
at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see