The head gamekeeper on Glenogil Estate has reportedly helped rescue an injured red kite that was hanging upside down in a tree after becoming entangled in string.
Danny Lawson was apparently able to shoot off the branch so the kite fell to the ground. He disentangled the bird and took it to Thrums Veterinary Group in Kirriemuir. The vets say the bird is recovering well and is now being cared for by the SSPCA.
News article here.
Photo by Thrums Veterinary Group
Raptor Persecution UK 
I really hope that the Angus Glen have turned a new leaf. Here’s hoping.
Praise where praise is due, Well done Danny.
Great to hear of the intervention. Well done Mr Lawson.
Well done Danny for showing that all Gamekeepers aren’t as bad as certain media outlets would have people believe!! Let’s hope it makes a full recovery and he gets the recognition he deserves as he’s clearly saved this Kites life.
“Danny Lawson was apparently able to shoot off the branch so the kite fell to the ground” He’ll be at the gun range first thing tomorrow to work on his aim. I jest, of course I jest. It is good when keepers actually do live up to the PR department policies on wildlife, long may it continue.
Well done, that man. Hope this marks a new era in estate management in that corner of the realm.
I agree entirely with Julie & P beaters comments.
10/10 for Danny Lawson.
I am glad that you have posted a comment about the good that some gamekeepers do. I live in an area surrounded by sporting estates and all of the gamekeepers respect local wildlife . We have them bring in sick raptors to our hospital, and one was even in tears when he helped release a treated bird back to the wild. They are not all bad. Its just sad that the shooting world does not disown themselves from the bad ones and sing the praises of the good ones
Well done Danny and lots of other gamekeepers that accept birds of prey are just part of the countryside. Looking at the pic of the tree he is a great shot.
Great stuff. Let’s hope this guy gets the praise he deserves in the national media (Telegraph, Mail etc).
Very well done Danny Lawson, I had given up all hope for Gamekeepers, you are a welcome beacon of light for others to follow.
Got to say I was looking for the catch. Having read some of these comments, it looks like he’s done his trade a big favour.Let’s have more of this stuff!
Hmmm, our intel says don’t be too quick to XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX……….Court proceedings underway for this estate in relation to [Ed: alleged] keeper activity which is related to wildlife plus info that Angus wildlife officer retrieved a dead buzzard from the estate a while back and the person who reported it has not heard back from the police officer involved. There is more but we cannot go into it right now. Watch this space.
Interesting comment by Project Raptor. Call me a cynic, but the breed of bird that was “rescued” is interesting in that Red Kites would probably pose the least perceived “threat” to game birds of any raptor, as they are predominantly carrion feeders. Wonder what would have happened if the trapped bird had been a goshawk, hen harrier or peregrine? Just a thought.
Excellent, very many thanks A ++++ .
There are decent keepers out there – just not enough of them
Well done Mr Lawson!
I realise this isn’t related to Scotland but, whilst on this subject, I noted the following comment in the “ringing report” section of the 2013 Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory annual report:
“There was one addition to the Bay ringing list in 2013, Common Buzzard. This bird had become trapped in a Pheasant rearing pen on the Northbourne Estate and the gamekeeper brought it to us to be ringed and released.”
I’m sure you can fill in your own quips about Buzzards, gamekeepers and ringing (necks) but good to hear the positive actions of this gamekeeper with this Buzzard.
Great piece of highly skilful rescue work Danny. Also well done to the person who initially noticed the injured Red Kite in the tree and personnel of Thrums Veterinary Group who treated the bird. A great all round team effort.
Well done Danny Lawson,saviour of the raptors.Mind you a dead,dangling red kite would not look good on Glenogil Estate with its deplorable record of raptor deaths.odd how it got tangled in string and another bird did too.Food for thought.
But let’s look at the management policy of this estate.The xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx wants only grouse on this 10’000+ acre moorland so that xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx trigger happy friends can shoot as many grouse as possible.So how do you make sure there are plenty of grouse?well in the first case you surround the perimeter with fenn traps.This will ensure you are not bothered by stoats and weasels.Then you cover it with electric fences to keep deer out.Why? Because deer carry ticks which can affect grouse.Then you shoot xxxxx mountain hare because they carry ticks also. Which begs the question….what is the policy on raptors. Come on it’s not rocket science ! Her,s a clue. Try finding a nesting hen harrier or any raptor for that matter on that estate.
What is more laughable is that a spokesman for the RSPB, Duncan Orr-Ewing praised the keeper for his actions.Pity he did not speak to the RSPB investigations officer first.
Here,s a thought …xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx