Chris Packham has become the target of some very unsavoury characters after he campaigned for measures to protect birds from being shot.

The Springwatch presenter said he had received a ‘very calculated’ death threat, and last week two dead crows were hung on his garden gate.

He was also sent this in the post, shared by Packham in a video which was praised by his Springwatch colleague Michaela Strachan as the perfect way to deal with bullies.

It’s best described as … well, have a watch for yourself.

I’ve received another gift . . . pic.twitter.com/gwmEfUGm2u — Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) April 28, 2019

Much as we enjoyed his response (and some of the comments it generated) let’s hope this stops now.

Wait wait wait – IT’S A WOODCOCK — Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) April 28, 2019

Can you imagine though? Can you imagine somebody thinking “That Chris Packham, I’m going to post him a block of wood with a penis drawn on it. That’ll teach him” and then going through with it. — Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) April 28, 2019

At the Post Office:

“Large Letter, Sir?”

(Proudly, and for the first time in their life) “Yes. Yes it is.” — Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) April 28, 2019

My response would be to turn it into a voodoo doll (you can get a kit for £2.99 at The Works), then hammer a nail through it. — Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) April 28, 2019

Speaking as a witch it's already got their dna on it from them lovingly handcrafting it so you'd just need to set the intention of causing someone mild to strong discomfort and burn the wood causing them to have itchy burning genitals in public — Rachel Charlton-Dailey (@RachelCDailey) April 29, 2019

This is important knowledge. — Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) April 29, 2019

Brilliant response to the knobs who sent it. — Sarah Eaton #FBPE (@Sazbats) April 28, 2019

With such magnificent gifts Chris, you must be doing something right. Keep it up, so to speak — Andrzej Plocki (@Hebetronic) April 28, 2019

Sign it, stick it on eBay and give the money to a charity whoever sent it would hate 😂 — Clive (@Clive__Horn) April 28, 2019

As funny as your response is I do hope that precautions are being taken with your safety buddy… you are really getting under someone’s skin… and there’s nowt sa strange as folk! — Bridgette Perks (@perksy1) April 28, 2019

Love you Chris Packham . Keep on doing your thing. Please. — Jacquie (@Jacquie54052945) April 28, 2019

To conclude …

This is a MasterClass on how to handle bullying! @ChrisGPackham my friend, you are genius. https://t.co/og9ayRbFuR — Michaela Strachan (@michaelastracha) April 30, 2019

TV presenter Chris Packham has said he received a “very calculated” death threat against him and his family after he

It comes after Natural England revoked licences for controlling 16 species of bird.

Packham said the threat outlined “a list of things they might do” including organising a car crash or poisoning.

He also condemned Facebook for not removing posts containing his address.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation said it does “not condone any illegal behaviour. And for people to continue to behave in such a manner is utterly unacceptable”.

‘Bombarded by bullies’

The presenter told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme he received the threat last night, and had reported it to Hampshire Police.

“In the structure of its composition it’s designed to elicit as much fear as possible,” he said.

“They’re principally just saying, ‘You will never be safe, you will never be able to go out, we will always be there.'”

Packham’s campaign group Wild Justice has challenged the general licences that allow farmers to shoot birds including carrion crows, wood pigeons, and magpies that damage crops or attack livestock.

Individuals can still apply to Natural England – the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England – for individual licences to shoot the birds.

The move provoked criticism from farmers’ groups and others.

The National Farmers’ Union has said it has “significant concerns” about the sudden withdrawal of general licences.

“They are absolutely necessary at this time of year when crops are particularly vulnerable to pests. For example, a flock of pigeons could decimate a farmer’s field of crops,” its deputy president Guy Smith has said.

“It is incredibly disappointing that farmers and growers find themselves in this position, particularly at this time of year.”

Packham has also faced criticism from those who say failing to control the crow population could endanger some of Britain’s rarest birds, because the crows raid their nests and steal eggs and chicks.

‘Fake news’

Last week, two dead crows were hung on Packham’s garden gate, and the presenter said charities and organisations he works with have also been “bombarded by bullies”.

But he told Victoria Derbyshire that the movement against him had been driven by “fake news”.

The aim of his campaign, he said, had been to stop those “who go out with the sole purpose of killing [birds] for pleasure”.

He said it would not “make it any more difficult for farmers to be able to control animals that they might consider a pest”, but that they would now have to show “they have explored every other means of control” – such as scaring the birds or using netting – before being permitted to shoot them.