Last but not least in this mini-series of updates (well, five ‘missing’ or dead satellite-tracked raptors is plenty to be going on with) is the other Langholm hen harrier chick, ‘Barry’.
Barry managed to survive a couple of weeks longer than his sibling, Blae, but by all accounts he’s probably now dead, especially as “most of his previous movements were associated with grouse moors” (see here). His last signal was received on 2nd October and a search for him got underway. Three weeks later – no news.
So, there we have it. Five ‘missing’ or dead satellite-tracked raptors, and then let’s not forget the golden eagle recently found shot and severely injured on a grouse moor in Dumfries & Galloway (here).
Now, what was it Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said recently about raptor persecution? Ah yes, here it is:
“The unlawful killing of any raptors has no place in today’s Scotland and we will continue to work hard to eradicate this criminal activity. We believe that the partnership approach with the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland, is bringing the reduction in bird of prey poisoning that can be seen in the statistics in recent years. However we are not complacent and if there is evidence of a switch to other methods of persecution we will take action to bear down on those methods”.
How much more evidence do you need, Paul? What action are you going to take? And no, industrial-scale sweeping doesn’t count!
Raptor Persecution UK 
I wonder if Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse really believes the rubbish he spouts about Raptor persecution, or as is more likely, is he toeing the party line and just saying what he’s told to say. Makes you “PAW’s” for thought doesn’t it !!!
Our “environment minister” (acting, unqualified) is going to do – precisely nothing. As an economist his environmental objectives are probably to cover Scotland in both pylons and windfarms. He probably knows, or cares little about environmental protection but presumably a bit about environmental development. You’ll be telling me next the CPS knows about prosecutions! Perhaps the RSPB should refund his subscription, owner having no further use for same. Oh well, give a dog a bad name………………..and hang him.
Pip
Its a politicians job to look as though they care – they dont actually have to care!..re such matters as the environment….What they do actually care about though is criticism in public, so keep at them.
I still get annoyed every time I see “…the reduction in bird of prey poisoning that can be seen in the statistics in recent years…”..The RSPB in its reports, which have been coming out a damn sight longer than the government ones and with far more explanatory background, have always been careful over trends. Pointing out the blindingly obvious fact that these are only the discovered, analysed and recorded cases – a reduction in recorded poisonings can mask a failure to find victims and baits, due to such factors as the weather [reducing hillwalking and/or raptor monitoring], a clampdown on access or just plain bad luck. If several dozen individuals had chosen to walk off the hill 100 metres to the side in any direction…several dozen baits and victims, which go to make up our “statistics” would never have been found – it can be that random.
No…the only reliable statements you can make on this subject are in saying ..1. Its still happening and in species as ecologically diverse as eagles to kestrels. 2. Its happening across a wide geographical area 3. By far the commonest locations are on or adjacent to, shooting estates 4. Populations of certain species are being affected in such areas….then..and only then, you add the other non confirmable background stuff…much the same as in a court case using circumstantial evidence.
So..to sum up..you can say…there has been a reduction in bird of prey poisoning records …but you cant say theres been a reduction in bird of prey poisoning…that Minister, is just plain wrong.
Reblogged this on urbanperegrines.