Thanks to @Bucktonbirder for the tip-off –
Illegal raptor poisoning on BBC’s Countryfile tonight (7pm BBC 1), exposed by RSPB Investigations undercover work.
Preview here.
Thanks to @Bucktonbirder for the tip-off –
Illegal raptor poisoning on BBC’s Countryfile tonight (7pm BBC 1), exposed by RSPB Investigations undercover work.
Preview here.
Raptor Persecution UK 
We should welcome any programme which shows that this a continuing widespread problem – the poisoners and their apologists are desperate to make it all look like exaggeration and historical. I sincerely doubt however that this very pleasant BBC programme will tackle the real reason that it hasn’t been dealt with up till now – collusion and/ or apathy in the justice system. Just throwing more money at the problem will not fix it. A genuinely independent [ie not run by the police or lawyers or tory politicians] inquiry followed by widespread change in how cases are handled just might.
Hmm I wonder if they will mention the RSPB poisoning ferel cats!? Somehow I doubt it!
Grouseman, your comparison between the RSPB (supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) poisoning feral cats on Ascension Island, where these cats had wiped out many of the island’s endemic bird species, with gamekeepers who illegally poison native raptors illustrates the facile and spurious arguments advanced by those who believe such persecution can be justified. The RSPB’s carefully thought out campaign allowed the endangered frigate bird to return to Ascension Island. The gamekeepers’ illegal campaign has succeeded in making the hen harrier an endangered species in England. Don’t worry though, Owen Patterson MP thinks gamekeepers are doing a great job maintaining biodiversity, so your grouse should be able to continue breeding in prolific numbers sufficient for shooting them in their hundreds for a good bit of sport.
Good response, Hugh. To anyone with any common sense, killing an introduced species to protect globally endangered populations is completely different to killing many protected species to protect a globally common species, but the proponents of raptor culling just can’t seem to see the major differences betweeen the two.
But if Grouseman has serious reservations about people killing cats, he should campaign against gamekeeping activities, where the killing of feral cats is widespread with the endangered Scottish Wildcat sometimes killed as a result of such indiscriminate practices.
Any mention of wildlife crime is welcome but why show off a Golden Eagle stating that they are mainly found in Scotland now and not mention any of the specific cases of poisoning, shooting or trapping that has recently happened here with no prosecutions forthcoming.
Fascinating to see the RSPB footage of a gamekeeper which led to a conviction. Afraid it would not get near a court in Scotland …