Concern over falcon chicks

[Jeff Taylor]

;) Warning bells are ringing after a survey in Scotland found a low
survival rate of Peregrine Falcon chicks.
In cenral Scotland-Western Perth & Kinross for example-only half
the number of nests recorded in a census were successful.Also
a similar number of pairs reared considerably fewer young in
central,eastern and south-western regions.There is evidence....
of persistent criminal persecution in the supposed interests of
Red Grouse management.

Jeff Taylor.

[IanF]

I wish there was a simple answer to this, but so long as Gamekeepers are under pressure to make the game shooting pay I can't see the situation changing. I just heard about an Eagle Owl nest with eggs being wrecked, probably by a pair of gamekeepers. It's not as if the birds would kill hundreds of Grouse - at least they only kill for food.

[simontucker]

There is a simple answer: any gamekeeper found guilty of persecuting birds of prey should be jailed and banned sine die from keeping. Any landowner that allows their keepers to practice such obscenities should get one warning and then have their land confiscated and handed over to the local naturalist's trust for management.

[Ian Whittle]

Couldnt agree more, put preassure on the local mps (especially if their not gauranteed their seats at the next election), there again who funds them, probably the land owners!
Ian

[Ian Whittle]

Just on the news tonight two gamekeepers in weardale fined 350 & £500 for setting traps on posts on the moors there. Landowner was fined £10.000. Trying to kill raptors using pesticides still too.
unfortunatley too many get away with it still undetected, when were out watch for suspicious behaviour on the moors as well as looking for the birds, if you see anything ring the RSPB, if you find a trap of some sort, dont do what you want to, and take it away. The RSPB will come over and set up camp for evidence.

[Michael Frankis]

And any gamekeeper under investigation should have his gun license revoked (a gun license is a privilege, not a right, so it needn't be returned even if any prosecution fails)

. . . . . of course a gamekeeper with no gun license is a gamekeeper with no job . .

Michael

[Ian Whittle]

The gamekeepers I refferred to you may have heard about, they were caught red handed burrying a short eared owl, the trap had blood of the owl on it, though it is believed it was harriers they were after. why if the maximum fine is £5000 for this offence, do these medieval louts get such pathetic fines. Their landowner reprimanded them the local paper stated today, and they are back in their jobs. No doubt just being a little more carefull next time thery set their traps. ( Referance the Journal 13/5/03)

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Ian,

Where was this - which estate?

Michael

[Ian Whittle]

Not sure Michael, on weardale the paper said, get in touch with the Journal for a backdated copy if you need more info.
cheers
Ian