Hi All,
I live in the Scottish Higlands and just wanted to add a couple of points, o and i am a very keen fisherman,
I have worked on Highland estates and Highland rivers since leaving school and have never heard a fisherman say anything bad about Ospreys, in fact when they see them which is quite often, they always remark what wonderful birds they really are, most stop fishing to watch them, most anglers fish because they love being ourdoors in nature, catching a fish on Highland rivers is a bonus.
One of the big estates in the area which employes several gamekeepers and has lots of grouse moors, has also designated areas for Capercaiilie and actively involves the RSPB and SNH, as most Highlands estates do.
While i am not defending Gamekeepers, and i went to school with a few, any of them caught killing Ospreys or Capercaiilie would be out of a job and out of their tied house in a minute.
Rothiemurchus estate has a grouse moor and Gamekeepers, a trout fishery and yet has done more for the Osprey than anyone else in the UK, the estate owner is even head of the Osprey charity.
Please do not think all Gamekeepers, Highland estate owners and fishermen want to kill Ospreys, Capercaiilie or Otters, it could not be further from the truth.
One last example, i have three trout fisheries that i stock, i am just finished building an Osprey hide for people to come and enjoy as i do, watching Ospey dive and catch a fish, or if you want to watch wild otters hunting.... i have a hide built for that to, and yes i am a fishery owner.
I really could give another 40 examples of Gamekeepers, Landowners and fisherman in my area doing nothing but good things for all of nature.
Thanks Gordon.