Monitoring and conserving Scotland's birds of prey
Winterwatch returns to BBC 2 next week (Mon 20th – Thurs 23rd January) and this year will be based at the National Trust’s Mar Lodge Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms. Expect to see several features on raptors including golden eagles, hen harriers, red kites and little owls. Visit the Winterwatch webpage for more details.
A man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to wildlife crime after the death of a hen harrier in the Huntly area of Aberdeenshire last June. The 58 year old man is expected to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court at a later date. Unfortunately, no further details have been made available at this time.
A retired gamekeeper from Angus claims that other gamekeepers are being put under pressure by their employers to use illegal poison to protect grouse stocks. Colin Gair, 66, made his claims after the recent discovery of the poisoned golden eagle ‘Fearnan’ on an Angus grouse moor. Mr Gair speculates that the poison may be being passed to gamekeepers by shoot managers. Full story here.
Police Scotland are appealing for information relating to the death of a buzzard near Tomatin. The dead bird was found by a member of the public on 9th December. Police say the buzzard had ‘not died of natural causes’, but they provide scant detail about this incident, which is very disappointing. It is not known why the police have chosen to withhold details.