A record number of birds of prey poisoning incidents were recorded in Scotland last year, a new report released today shows.
Last year 46 poisoning cases were confirmed by Scottish Government testing – the highest number in two decades – according to RSPB Scotland’s annual report.
The victims included 21 buzzards, four red kites, two golden eagles and a white-tailed eagle, which had been given to Scotland from Norway as part of a reintroduction programme.
The dead golden eagles were discovered on the Millden Estate, near Brechin, and at Beinn Udlaidh, Glen Orchy, in north Argyll last summer.
Police launched investigations after the birds, which are in rapid decline, were found to have been poisoned by the banned pesticide, carbofuran.
Just weeks later the same pesticide was used to poison a white-tailed eagle, which was discovered on the Glenogil Estate, near Kirriemuir.
The bird was one of 15 released in 2008 after being flown in from Norway as a chick, as part of a reintroduction project designed to bring the species back to Scotland.
The new report shows that carbofuran and another pesticide, alpha-chloralose, were commonly used to target buzzards and red kites in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Inverness, and Perthshire.
There were also nine incidents of illegal killings through shooting, nest destruction and the use of spring traps last year.
RSPB head of species and land management Duncan Orr-Ewing said: “We are lucky enough in Scotland to have some of the world’s most majestic species of birds of prey, but unfortunately a significant number of people continue to break the law and undermine the recovery of their populations.
“This activity threatens other countryside industries such as tourism and undermines Scotland’s reputation internationally.”
Incidents are recorded as poisoning cases if there is substantive evidence of the practice, such as the discovery of a victim or poisoned bait. Some incidents are therefore recorded as poisonings even if no body has been discovered.
Many of the illegal killings detailed in the report were found by chance by members of the public in remote areas of countryside – prompting concerns many more crimes could be going undetected.
The charity has now called for more full-time wildlife crime officers, and would like to see a review of the penalties available to the courts for wildlife crime.
Mr Orr-Ewing added: “We will continue to work with the many responsible landowners and welcome the recent initiative by over 200 Scottish estates, who have publicly condemned wildlife crime, and who have called for robust enforcement action against the perpetrators.”