A dead red kite found in January 2008 on a farm near Laurieston, nine miles north of Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway, had been poisoned with Carbofuran.
Re-introduced kites in this area, as well as other areas in Scotland, have been heavily targeted by poisoners who mistakenly think that the birds are a threat to their gamebirds. Red kites feed mainly on carrion (animals that have already died), worms and insects. They are highly susceptible to poisoning because they eat so much carrion, so it is easy for someone to stake out a poisoned bait in an area where kites forage for food.
No-one has been found responsible for the death of this red kite.
Further info: http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Poisoned-kite-sparks-fear-of.3705255.jp
Raptor Persecution UK 