Scottish Raptor Study Group

News - January 2012

Second gamekeeper convicted of poisoning offences
12th January 2012

RSPB press release:
A 63 year old man has today (12th January 2012) been convicted of possessing a highly toxic banned pesticide.

At Lanark Sheriff Court this afternoon, Cyril McLachlan was fined £635 after admitting to the possession of Carbofuran, a toxic pesticide banned in 2001.

The gamekeeper, with 40 years experience, was arrested during an operation by Strathclyde Police, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the Scottish Government in January 2011, when a plastic bottle containing the illegal substance was discovered in his vehicle. McLachlan claimed to have got the chemical "off a friend".

Police were first alerted to the area in November 2010 when a member of the public reported finding a dead buzzard whilst walking near Loanhead Farm, Lamington in South Lanarkshire.

In response, RSPB Scotland, Scottish SPCA and Scottish Government officials, discovered the carcass lying next to the remains of a pheasant. Following tests by the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) laboratory both tested positive for the pesticide Carbofuran, which has a record of being used as an illegal poison.

Speaking after the sentencing Bob Elliot, Head of Investigations at RSPB Scotland, said: "This is the second court case in the space of a week involving poisoning in South Lanarkshire, which must be very worrying for local residents. Not only do these illegal chemicals kill birds and other wildlife but they have the potential to poison domestic pets and endanger any people that come into contact with them".

"It is depressing that despite this substance being banned for over ten years it turns up with monotonous regularity, used to lace baits indiscriminately which are then laid in the open in our countryside to kill protected wildlife."

Petition against proposed killing of golden eagles in USA
10th January 2012

We have been asked to promote a petition against the proposed killing of golden eagles by a wind-power developer in Oregon, USA. Follow this link to view and sign the petition - http://signon.org/sign/stop-plan-to-allow-killing.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by=1940442

Gamekeeper sentenced for poisoning buzzards
05th January 2012

A gamekeeper who poisoned four buzzards has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service. David Whitefield, 45, admitted poisoning the birds with chloralose baits at Coulter Allers Farm, Biggar, between March and November 2009. It was his second conviction for wildlife crime at the same location. Whitefield was a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers' Association and has since been expelled. Full story available at BBC website -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-16429098

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Goshawk chicks on nest