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Birds of prey under ‘serious threat’.
CRIME AGAINST birds of prey is undermining conservation efforts in Scotland and Scotland’s international obligations to provide proper protection for these bird species, a report by the RSPB claims.
The society says birds of prey in Scotland continue to face a serious threat while attempts to prosecute those responsible are often hampered by lack of resources for wildlife law enforcement and failures of the court system.
Some 35 confirmed poison incidents were reported, with one of the worst areas being Perth and Kinross where 10 incidents were reported in only two areas last year.
At Ballinluig there were three incidents in which poisoned rabbits were used as bait. Five buzzards and a crow were found dead. At Dun Coillich near Aberfeldy seven incidents were discovered in which poisoned rabbits were used. Two buzzards died.
The worst incident recorded in Scotland, at Barns in the Borders, saw 22 buzzards killed.
Other incidents of illegal persecution occurred in Angus and Fife. At Edzell, owls, including a long eared owl and two short eared owls, were among the birds illegally cage trapped, and at Glen Esk a peregrine falcon’s nest was destroyed. At Kennoway in Fife there was an attempt to cause a peregrine falcon’s nest to fail.
The report, based on latest available figures, shows that although some species, like the buzzard, have made a significant comeback, other species continue to face serious threats from wildlife criminals.
Recent scientific research commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage has highlighted the threat to golden eagles from illegal poisoning on grouse moors.
Likewise, hen harriers continue to fare very badly on the southern and eastern moorlands despite the availability of suitable breeding habitats, but they are holding their own in the north and west where grouse moor management is largely absent.
Red kites—reintroduced successfully in three parts of the country—face a continuing threat from poisoning, which has damaged the population growth and range expansion at the first re-introduction site on the Black Isle in Ross-shire.
Despite initiatives to combat wildlife crime, which have strong support from the Scottish Executive, very few cases come to court because many crimes occur in remote areas and are therefore unlikely to be detected.
Courier 23rd September 2005
