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Message: <blockquote data-quote="nirofo" data-source="post: 1855940" data-attributes="member: 1854">There's no misconception, it is well known among ornithologists and others who are involved in Raptor protection that the main threat to the birds is from keepers and the estate owners / landowners who condone the persecution of Raptors even if they say otherwise.  Although I  and my colleagues may not like it, we are aware that generally individual shooters are not the Raptors main enemy, we are also aware that there are many who are. Nobody expects you or anyone else to go out of their way to track down people persecuting raptors yourself, however it doesn't stop you from reporting any wildlife crimes you witness to the police or the RSPB.  I should stay clear of the local wildlife liaison officers, they are usually quite useless at best and in many cases are pro estates.  I speak from experience having had to deal with 2 or 3 locally and heard of similar experiences from other Raptor workers in Scotland.  The wildlife liaison officer at Bowland is just one fine example. The maximum penalties for wildlife crime have never been issued to anyone yet, not even close, even though the maximum fine is up to £10,000 + 1 year in jail. The highest penalty so far was just a £2,500 fine, for a case involving the poisoning of more than 20 birds of prey. Incidentally, how would allowing keepers to control Buzzards help to protect the Hen Harriers from persecution. nirofo.</blockquote>

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