IN reply to "concerned townie" (Viewpoint, April 21), I am a Grimsby born and bred townie.

It seems to me that "concerned townie" (CT) is a politically-motivated anti-hunting and farming type, with a closed mind about what is going on in our countryside.

Margaret Thatcher did not start the grubbing out of hedging – it began a long time before that, just after the Second World War.

I travel the area CT describes many times a week. I see foxes, roe deer, hares and kestrels at various times of the day.

I also see many more magpies, buzzards, sparrow hawks and carrion crows than ever there have been and I am afraid these are the reason for our small birds' decline.

If CT looks closer at the farms, he will see grass margins up to 30 metres wide just about everywhere. These are just one of many things left to help wildlife survive.

Before having a swipe at the "greedy farmer", I am sure you're well fed like most of us – where do you think the food retailers get the stock from?

As for the thrush singing, he is singing because he has a mate nesting nearby and hopefully she will raise her young to fledge before a magpie finds her.

So CT, open your eyes and cheer up.

K Wilkinson, (address supplied).