Red kites are protected by law. Photo: Brian Scott ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
An investigator has criticised ‘Victorian attitudes’ to wildlife after it was revealed a red kite was poisoned.
Police Scotland appealed for information from the public following the discovery of the bird of prey in the Glenferness area near Nairn.
The bird was found by a member of the public on farmland at the end of October. Police said they were contacted and took immediate action to establish the cause of death. Test results returned this week confirmed the bird had swallowed an illegal pesticide.
Police Scotland area commander Chief Inspector Colin Gough said: “Sadly it has been confirmed the red kite had died as a result of consuming a poisonous substance and an investigation is now taking place into the circumstances.
“It appears to be an isolated incident involving a single bird of prey. Police Scotland and partners are committed to tackling wildlife crime and will utilise all available resources to bring those responsible to justice.
“Investigations into wildlife crime can be very complex and challenging, with a major part of our enquiries involving liaising with members of the local community who may hold essential information.
“We would appeal to anyone who has any information to make contact as a matter of urgency via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Ian Thomson, head of investigations for Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland, said: “It is very disappointing to hear of yet another incident of raptor persecution in this area. It is thoroughly depressing that in 21st century Scotland, there are still those who have a Victorian attitude towards birds of prey, as well as a criminal disregard of the law.
“The continued targeting of our raptors is a stain on our country’s reputation and has no place in modern Scotland. I urge anyone who has information about this incident to contact the police as soon as possible.”
GeorgeH
21 November 2015How many birds of prey are being illegally poisoned by rogue landowners, trying to obtain permission for bird-mincing wind farms?
The map of raptor deaths is uncannily similar to the current map of wind farm locations!
Paul Gardner
23 November 2015No, the location of raptor deaths is nothing like the map of wind farm locations, existing or planned. If you have evidence for your statement, please publish it.
And the loss of raptors to wind turbines in the UK is far smaller than the loss due to road traffic - ask RSPB.
GeorgeH
23 November 2015How many Golden Eagles have you seen killed by a car windscreen or a kitchen window?
"In Australia, the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle is threatened with global extinction by wind farms. In north America, wind farms are killing tens of thousands of raptors including golden eagles and America’s national bird, the bald eagle. In Spain, the Egyptian vulture is threatened, as too is the Griffon vulture — 400 of which were killed in one year at Navarra alone. Norwegian wind farms kill over ten white-tailed eagles per year and the population of Smøla has been severely impacted by turbines built against the opposition of ornithologists.
Why is the public not more aware of this carnage? First, because the wind industry (with the shameful complicity of some ornithological organizations) has gone to great trouble to cover it up — to the extent of burying the corpses of victims." Clive Hambler
Recent research from around the world indicates horrific bird mortality rates:-
Spain - 330 Birds per turbine per year
Germany - 309 Birds per turbine per year
Sweden - 895 Birds per turbine per year
When will the wind industry tell us the Scottish figures?
OutdoorsAndy
24 November 2015Hi GeorgeH,
Could you put some references to those figures please? it really helps establish your point to show your research base.
Would you say the threat of CO2 linked climate change was a greater or lesser threat to the planets echo system than the loss of birds by alternative low carbon power generation?
It would be interesting to contrast your figures with rapid habitat loss due to a artificially rapidly warming planet
Thanks in advance,
Andy
GeorgeH
24 November 2015Hello Outdoors Andy.
Please see EPAW website, under Documents, Birds and Bats,
right hand column, 2nd from the top.
"Wind farms versus wildlife" - Clive Hambler.
Hope this helps,
Yours, trying to protect our Highlands from further devastation
George
Beth176
26 November 2015Sorry, am I missing something here? I thought this article was about poisoning of wild birds not about wind farms???? I suspect wind turbines are not responsible for putting poisonous chemicals in or around prey so that the Kites ingest it - if they are responsible for this then I'll be very surprised and may even go so far as to 'eat my hat'!!
Just sayin!!