According to the Scotsman, Grampian Police are appealing for information after a protected hen harrier was found shot dead on the Fettercairn Estate, Aberdeenshire, last month.
The owner of Fettercairn Estate is quoted as saying this:
“Since its inception in 2006 Fettercairn Estate has been a long term participant in the North East Scotland Raptor Watch project. As such it was particularly distressing to hear that a dead hen harrier was found on the edge of the hill land and I join in the appeal for witnesses to come forward“.
A Grampian Police spokesman is quoted as saying this:
“Investigations have established that the bird had been shot and officers are appealing to members of the public who may have been in the area and may have seen something suspicious. Gamekeeping staff at Fettercairn Estate have already provided significant assistance to police in their enquiries and continue to work closely in the hope that the offender can be identified and brought to justice“.
It must have been another one of those armed hill-walkers.
At least Grampian Police have made a public appeal in a (relatively) timely manner – that’s definitely progress so well done to them.
After hearing the news, Scottish Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse issued another warning about his intention to crack down on the continuing illegal persecution of raptors:
“We will not tolerate the illegal persecution of protected species such as the hen harrier and, as I have said recently in relation to another shooting [the golden eagle that was found shot on a grouse moor on Buccleuch Estate, see here], I am prepared to look at further measures to strengthen and assist enforcement if we continue to see this flouting of the law in respect of protected species“.
That’s great Paul, but how many more incidents are required before you consider this a ‘continuing’ problem? One? Ten? Twenty? A hundred?
Article in the Scotsman here
Raptor Persecution UK 
Dead harrier found 13 October – Scotsman article 28 November – why does it take 6.5 weeks for the story to reach the public domain? Even taking into account the fact that the carcass would have gone to a lab for analysis, there is no reason for the public not to be informed. Needless to say, I shan’t be holding my breath until the perpetrator is found.
“Gamekeeping staff at Fettercairn Estate have already provided significant assistance to police in their enquiries and continue to work closely in the hope that the offender can be identified and brought to justice“. – yeah, right.
As for the so called “Environment Minister” statement – we’ve heard it all before from this ineffective timeserver.
Pip
I guarantee that if a grouse had been shot by a poacher,the estate owner and his staff would id the culprit in no time.
Disgrace.
This bird was seemingly found close to a walker’s path near the Cairn O’ Mount main road. I am convinced that the perpetrator has dumped this bird on someone else’s patch in a similar way to the Golden Eagle with ‘smashed’ legs was dumped near Aboyne in the same area.
Could be trying to put the blame on another estate by dumping the body on their ground. So much for honour among thieves. Would not like to be their neighbour.
Is it known if hen harriers have bred successfully on Fettercairn Estate since it join the Raptor Watch project in 2006?
SRSG report states for the period 2006 – 2010 Angus area monitored sites fledged 3 harriers in 2006 only – Aberdeen area monitored sites fledged 19 harriers. Not an answer I know, but Fettercairn estate is in Aberdeenshire and borders Angus, the estate is let to seasonal shooting tenants.