old news

[kenny]

hi all
this article is old but i just thought i would put it on,as on monday on the programme inside out there is an update of this story

ken



Bloody Businesses

THE KILLING MOORS

How birds of prey are persecuted to protect profits on commercial grouse estates

In June 2004, a gamekeeper on the Barns grouse estate in appeared in court charged with what has been described as the worst wildlife crime case in Scotland. In a March raid on the estate investigators discovered the remains of 22 buzzards, one tawny owl, one heron and a goshawk. The gamekeeper has been charged with poisoning birds of prey and reckless conduct by placing poison on a hillside.(1)


Dead Golden Eagle ©RSPB

In May, Lord Tryon avoided testifying at an employment tribunal by agreeing to pay an undisclosed sum to a former gamekeeper on his Perthshire estate. The gamekeeper claimed he was victimised and constructively dismissed after he ignored repeated hints from Lord Tryon that he should kill protected birds of prey. He stated in his testimony that during an inspection of the grouse moor Lord Tryon became irritated at finding piles of grouse feathers and told the gamekeeper that "Eagles have no place on my grouse moor," and "I have bought an estate and I will do what I like." (2)

[kenny]

hi all
just another one,i am trying to keep this fresh so i have decided to try to keep a different topic of bird info each week as you can see what this weeks topic is sorry.but it is news

ken


Shooting of rare falcon condemned
CONSERVATIONISTS voiced their anger yesterday after a rare peregrine falcon was found shot dead near a clifftop nature reserve.
Alexandra Wood
The RSPB said the shooting jeopardised plans to recolonise Bempton Cliffs nature reserve in East Yorkshire with the birds.
The adult female falcon had been dead for about two days when found in a field last Sunday. She would have laid eggs in May.
The fastest bird in the world and the largest native hawk in the UK, peregrines continue to suffer illegal human persecution despite their protected status.
A survey in 2002 gave a total of just 1,402 pairs in the UK.
RSPB Bempton Cliffs warden Trevor Charlton said the bird's fatal wounds contained lead shot.
He said: "Sadly it would appear that yet another rare bird of prey has been killed by a criminal act.
"We were hopeful that peregrine falcons might once again colonise the cliffs...the death of a female bird is a real setback."
Up to three peregrines have been seen in the area in recent weeks, but none have bred at Bempton since 1996.
A recent RSPB report revealed crimes against birds of prey are at an unacceptably high level. The Birdcrime 2003 report documents 560 crimes against wild birds, including 234 shootings or poisonings of birds of prey.
Two years ago a marsh harrier was found shot outside Bempton village.
With recent changes in the law, a person convicted of killing a peregrine falcon can receive up to six months in jail fined up to £5,000.
Anyone with information should ring 01482 672222.
29 January 2005

[kenny]

another one



Protected birds found poisoned

News Category: Rural / Environment

24 January 2005

Tests on a rare red kite and a buzzard found dead on a shooting estate new Cromdale in Strathspey have revealed that they were killed illegally by the deadly poison carbofuran, an agricultural chemical once used to remove pests from arable crops.
For research purposes the red kite had been radio tagged as a chick and RSPB Scotland staff had constantly tracked its movements using sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment. As soon as it stopped moving, officers were able to locate its whereabouts. It was finally found dead at the top of a fir tree in remote woodland.
During a follow-up visit to the site, police officers accompanied by an RSPB investigations officer also found three dead buzzards. Tests revealed that one of these birds had also fallen victim to the toxic pesticide. The poison is a danger to any living creature which comes into contact with it – which could include domestic pets and even people. Although a search for pesticides was carried out around the site none were found. Consequently no charges will be forthcoming as a result of the investigation.
A similar poisoning incident was discovered last week, involving another red kite, this time in Northumberland. The bird, one of 20 kites reintroduced last year to Gateshead, was found poisoned next to a rabbit and a pheasant carcass, which forensic analysis revealed were laced with carbofuran. Since 1989, 106 red kites across the UK have been poisoned, many of which died as a result of consuming poisoned baits. The majority of these dead birds come from recently reintroduced populations, including the Chilterns, Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and several sites in Scotland.


ken

[Rogerb]

yes yes Kenny bring it on this is the sort of thing that the world should know about OK its bad news but its reality we must educate the people out there that this kind of crap goes on I think It is unforgivable that birds such as this ar shot and killed for no reason keep it coming mate I will be backing you all the way roger b

[kenny]

hi roger
just trying to keep this news thing going,you have to take the good with the bad,and if its a bit controversial it may get some kind of freindly debate going .thats the whole point........i think!

ken

[Rogerb]

yep you are right kenny thankx for all the hard work you ar putting in