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Silence over hen harrier carnage – now updated

One week on from the publication of the Hen Harrier Conservation Framework, leaked by investigative journalist Rob Edwards on 16 January 2011, here are the published responses from the shooting lobby and from those with a statutory duty to protect this species of high conservation concern:

Scottish Gamekeeper’s Association – silence

Scottish Rural Properties & Business Association (SRPBA) – silence

Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG) – silence

Scotland’s Moorland Forum – silence

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) – silence

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) – silence

Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAWS) – silence

National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) – silence

Interesting. Perhaps they’re all hoping that if they keep quiet, everyone will forget about the damning evidence presented in the report? It is, after all, only the 5th scientific study published since 1997 to demonstrate the indisputable link between hen harrier persecution and heather moorland that’s managed for red grouse shooting. Here’s a quick summary for anyone who missed the latest scientific facts:

  • The potential national Hen Harrier population for Scotland is estimated to be within the range 1505 – 1790 pairs.
  • The most recent national survey of Hen Harriers in Scotland (2004) was estimated to include 633 pairs.
  • This means that 872 – 1,157 harrier pairs (1,744 – 2,314 individuals) are missing.
  • The areas from where these birds are missing are areas managed as grouse moors.
  • Illegal persecution of hen harriers is particularly prevalent in five areas, where the majority of breeding attempts fail. These five areas are: Central Highlands, Cairngorm Massif, Northeast Glens, Western Southern Uplands and Inner Solway, and Border Hills.
  • At a national scale, the hen harrier in Scotland is not in favourable conservation status, largely due to illegal persecution. Ditto the English hen harrier population.

So, up to 2,314 hen harriers are missing in Scotland, and no-one has anything to say about it? Think about that number. It’s not 23, it’s not even 213 – it is two thousand, three hundred and fourteen birds. This is wholesale destruction on a massive scale! Are we to believe that “just a few rogues” are responsible?

How much more scientific evidence is required before we see the effective enforcement of our wildlife legislation? How can those people who own and manage the sporting estates still be getting away with this level of illegal activity? Why is the Environment Minister still set against the licensing of sporting estates, when it is blindingly obvious that they are unable to self-regulate?

In light of the contents of the leaked report, it is to be hoped that the Scottish Government’s Rural Affairs & Environment Committee will once again push for an amendment to the WANE Bill for estate licensing. Stage 2 of the Bill was completed on Wednesday 19 January and there was no mention of the Hen Harrier Framework during that meeting, probably because the RAE Committee hadn’t had time to read the report in full. Stage 3 begins in several weeks and by that time the Committee and the Environment Minister should be fully conversant with the extent of illegal raptor persecution on Scottish grouse moors.

UPDATE: 28 January 2011. SRPBA denies extent of persecution (yawn)

The SRPBA has written a letter of response to The Sunday Herald, dated 16 January 2011. I’m not sure if it was actually published by The Herald, but here it is as a PDF – SRPBA response to killing fields article 16 Jan 2011

UPDATE: 19 February 2011. See our blog entry on 19 Feb 2011 for an update on this story.

Hen Harrier Conservation Framework – leaked!

Follow this link to journalist Rob Edward’s website, where a leaked copy of the Hen Harrier Conservation Framework report is available to download – http://www.robedwards.com/2011/01/revealed-scotlands-bird-killing-fields.html#more

Vicarious liability one step closer

Congratulations to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs & Environment Committee for its continued support of the proposed introduction of vicarious liability to the WANE Bill. Their latest deliberations took place at Holyrood on Wednesday 12 January 2011 during Stage 2 of the Bill and all bar one of the committee members were very much in support of Roseanna Cunningham’s ammendment on this issue.

No surprise to learn that the only person who opposed it was John Scott MSP, who tried to suggest that the issue had been sprung on landowners out of the blue and that the neccesary consultation was inadequate. Roseanna Cunningham bit back with some welcome feistiness and told him his suggestions were nonsense – she had warned over a year ago that unless raptor persecution levels showed a significant drop, then vicarious liability was going to be “inevitable”. She had wanted to give the shooting industry an opportunity to get their house in order on a voluntary basis but after the appalling incidents at Skibo Estate, Moy Estate, and others throughout 2010, it was blatantly obvious that the industry was incapable of self-regulation and thus further legislation was neccessary. The rest of the RAE Committee agreed with her and John Scott MSP was out-voted 7 – 1 for the ammendment to continue to Stage 3.

John Scott also used the Stage 2 meeting to try and bring an ammendment that would allow more flexibility for the issue of licences to kill protected species (presumably starting with buzzards) under the European Birds Directive. That was also given short shrift by the Environment Minister who told him that the flexibility offered by the Directive was inapplicable to sport shooting.

There was no mention of the Hen Harrier Conservation Framework during the 3 hour meeting – presumably because most of the Committee have not yet been given the opportunity to read it. Hopefully it will be available to them before the concluding Stage 2 meeting at the end of January.

Wednesday’s meeting can be viewed on Holyrood TV: http://www.holyrood.tv/library.asp?iPid=3&section=102&title=Rural+Affairs+and+Environment+Committee

Hen harriers and gamekeepers – ‘damning evidence’ soon to be published

Following the blog posts of December 18th and 24th 2010 about the delayed publication of the long-awaited Hen Harrier Conservation Framework report, one of our readers emailed the Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham. Thank you Mike Price for sending us the government’s response:

Thank you for your email of December 24th, to Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, regarding the Conservation Framework for Hen Harriers. I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Scottish Government.

We are aware of the report and of the delays that it has experienced on its way to publication. Although my understanding is that SNH have arranged meetings with stakeholders to go through their scientific concerns, I appreciate that this is frustrating for those who have an interest in raptors in Scotland and are waiting for the report’s conclusions to be made public.

We have been assured by SNH that the report will be published before the Parliament has completed consideration of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill and will be made available to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. While I can’t comment on the content of a report that is yet to be published, I assure you that the Minister and her officials look forward to reading its conclusions with great interest.

Kind regards

—

Catherine Murdoch

Natural Resources Division

Rural and Environment Directorate

The Scottish Government

Phone: 0131-244 7140

Mail: 1-D North, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

For information on wildlife crime and PAW Scotland, please visit http://www.PAW.Scotland.gov.uk

Meanwhile back in Gamekeeper World, the SGA has announced it is conducting a national wildlife survey on sporting estates, focusing on birds. SGA Chairman Alex Hogg says on his blog: “We know from extensive scientific studies that land which is managed by gamekeepers has some of the most prolific wildlife in the country“. Hmm, we also know from extensive scientific studies that land which is managed by gamekeepers is where raptors are persistently and illegally persecuted. The forthcoming Hen Harrier Framework report provides very clear evidence that the land where hen harriers are absent (despite it being apparently suitable breeding habitat) also just happens to be land that is managed as grouse moors. What an amazing coincidence! In fact, isn’t that also what the Golden Eagle Conservation Framework reported in 2008? Yes, I think it is. A cynic may conclude that the SGA’s national wildlife survey is simply their latest public relations offensive in an attempt to bury the devastating evidence of hen harrier persecution on Scottish sporting estates that will shortly be published for all to read. And yes, we have read the report – and it most certainly does contain damning evidence. We’ve considered posting it on this site but we will wait and hope that SNH keeps its promise and publishes the report sometime this month.

Alex goes on to encourage SGA members to participate in the forthcoming bird survey, and tells them that the survey form will only take “a short time” to fill in. Is that because most of the native birds have been illegally poisoned, or shot, or clubbed to death after being caught in a trap….?

Alex Hogg Blog here: http://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/content/gamekeepers-conduct-national-wildlife-survey

buzzard poisoners in Derbyshire get away with it

On 30 April 2010, an article was posted on this blog about an investigation by Derbyshire police into the apparent poisoning of six buzzards. Here’s a quick re-cap:

On 22 February 2010, two dead buzzards were found in Jebbs Lane, Idridgehay, nr Ashbourne in Derbyshire. The birds were believed to have been poisoned. On 7 April 2010, a further four buzzards were found dead nr Kirk Ireton, just a few miles away from the dead buzzards that had been found in February. These four buzzards were also believed to have been poisoned, and were found next to a dead pheasant, believed to have been used as a poisoned bait.

In a recent report, the following details have emerged on the outcome of this investigation:

“Feb 22 2010: 2 dead buzzards found on the ground and chicken bait found in a tree. Analysis has confirmed a residue of Carbofuran in the gizzard of both birds, which is likely to be the cause of death. As the police have failed to identify a suspect, this case is now closed“.

“April 7 2010, link to Feb 22 case: 4 buzzards found dead, 2 baits (pheasant & hare). Six buzzards have now been found on this estate. The estate is trying to make the shooting part of the estate viable and new gamekeepers have been employed. Analysis has confirmed a residue of Carbofuran in the crop content of the birds. The amounts are significant and are likely to be the cause of death. An advisory letter to dispose of Strychnine found has been sent and complied with. This case is now closed“.

So, six buzzards are confirmed to have been poisoned by Carbofuran (a banned pesticide) and two poisoned baits were found on the same sporting estate within a small period of time. The name of the estate has not been published (surprise!). Presumably, a search of the un-named estate failed to uncover any stocks of Carbofuran, but did uncover a stock of Strychnine. Strychnine is also a banned pesticide, outlawed in the UK since September 2006 by the EU’s Biocide Directive, which states that it can no longer be sold or stored in the UK. Instead of being prosecuted for this illegal stash, the criminals get sent an ‘advisory letter’. No action is taken against them for the six illegally poisoned buzzards.

And if you think this is an unacceptable outcome, the news we will release shortly (about another case) will blow your mind….

illegal poisoning hampers red kite population growth in Scotland

On the face of it, Scotland’s red kite population appears to be doing well. Red kites used to be a common and widespread feature of our countryside, but became extinct in almost the entire United Kingdom in the early 1900s, after gamekeepers persecuted them to oblivion. A national reintroduction project began in 1989, bringing kites from mainland Europe and releasing them at strategic locations throughout the country.

Figures just released from the 2010 breeding season show that in Scotland, the numbers of breeding pairs are thought to be at their highest level since the project began in 1989. 166 breeding pairs were located, and 291 young fledged – an increase on 2009 figures.

However, recent scientific research has shown that the Scottish red kite population is not growing as rapidly as a similar reintroduced population in southern England, mainly due to the continued use of illegal posion being laid out in the Scottish countryside. As kites are a scavenging species, they are particularly susceptible to feeding from poisoned baits. At least 6 red kites were poisoned in Scotland in 2010 – and these were just the ones that were found. The illegal poisons Carbofuran and Aldicarb were responsible for their deaths. We also know about several more red kites that had been found dead in suspicious circumstances but that the police chose not to investigate. In addition to the illegal poisoned baits, 11 young kites died after eating prey that contained high concentrations of legal rodenticide. Although legal, there are still precautions needed when using rodenticides and efforts are being made to ensure that those people using this method of poison are fully aware of the user guidelines, especially about placement of the bait.

In addition to illegal and legal poisoning, in recent years Scottish red kites have also been killed illegally by being shot, and by being caught by the legs on a spring trap and being clubbed to death.

BBC News story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-12088673

Another sea eagle poisoned in the Irish Republic

Just when you thought that 2010 couldn’t get any worse for reports of poisoned eagles, we hear that yet another sea eagle has been killed in Kerry, Republic of Ireland.

This young female, only released into Ireland in the summer as part of the re-introduction scheme, is the 9th eagle since 2007  to be illegally killed in Ireland. This one was poisoned in a notorious sheep-farming area known locally as The Reeks, where another eagle had been previously shot.

The poisoning is despite strict legislation banning poisoned bait to control foxes, introduced in October after an outcry by conservation groups and representatives in Norway (who have donated the eagles for release) over the recent spate of poisonings in Ireland.

The police are investigating and are understood to be following a definite line of enquiry. Sounds familiar? Sounds like another soundbite to me – no doubt that this eagle’s killer will never be brought to justice, just like all the other eagle killers in Ireland and Scotland – nobody has ever been convicted of killing one of these magnificent creatures. Why is that? Perhaps John Scott MSP was right – perhaps they are all just imaginary crimes….

Full news story from the Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1222/breaking37.html

MSP asks questions about delayed Hen Harrier Framework report

A switched-on MSP has recognised the importance of the Hen Harrier Framework report and its relevance to the current WANE Bill debates,  and has raised formal questions in the Scottish Parliament about its delayed publication.

On December 21st 2010, MSP Peter Peacock (Labour: Highlands & Islands) lodged the following two written questions:

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) timetable and (b) launch date is for the publication and promotion of the hen harrier conservation framework report by the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme partnership;

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contents of the hen harrier conservation framework report have been made available to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee and, if not, whether the report will be published before the Parliament has completed consideration of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/businessBulletin/bb-10/bb-12-22e.htm

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government/Executive. The questions provide a means for MSPs to obtain factual and statistical information from the Scottish Government. Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess). Peter Peacock’s questions are due for answer on Thursday 27 January 2011.

Peter Peacock is no stranger to the WANE Bill, as he is a member of the Rural Affairs & Environment Committee (the committee tasked to consider the finer details of the proposed Bill). He has emerged as one of the leading MSPs trying to introduce measures to ensure that those responsible for illegal raptor persecution are brought to justice for their crimes. He obviously recognises that the information contained within the Hen Harrier Framework report could have a strong influence on the outcome of these proposed measures. The report is alleged to contain “damning evidence” about hen harrier persecution in Scotland and its link to grouse moors – evidence that might just persuade MSPs that the time for strong action against these criminal activities is long overdue.

Unsurprisingly, there have been no calls of concern over the delayed publication of the Hen Harrier Framework report from groups with an interest in game shooting. Is it because they already know the extent of the “damning evidence“, and know that the release of this evidence will weaken their stance as they try to oppose measures such as vicarious liability or estate licensing? Below is a link to a news report from The Independent dating back to 2003, where Scottish Gamekeeper’s Association Chairman Alex Hogg seeks licences for gamekeepers to kill hen harriers. But not all hen harriers, of course, only those that are considered to be “problem” birds. The difficulty here is that many gamekeepers consider ALL hen harriers to be “problem” birds (because they eat red grouse and pheasants) – and they’ll kill them whether they have a licence to do so or not – as the contents of the Hen Harrier Framework report will show. Interesting also to note that in 2003 the Scottish Government introduced “tough new legislation to arrest and imprison anybody who poisons, traps or shoots birds of prey“. Nearly eight years later, how effective has that “tough new legislation” been? I’d say totally ineffective, given the pitiful sentences handed out by Sheriffs to people convicted of such crimes.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gamekeepers-want-to-kill-birds-of-prey-598863.html

Convicted gamekeeper back in court this week – updated

Following on from the blog post on December 1st, the convicted gamekeeper who faces more charges (this time for alleged poisoning offences) will be back in court this week, after bad weather caused his earlier December trial to be postponed.

Full details will be posted here once the criminal proceedings have ended.

UPDATE: 23 December 2010. This case has been postponed for the second time this month. Details of the next trial date will appear here in due course.

Alleged dirty tricks campaign delays publication of hen harrier persecution evidence

The Scottish Raptor Study Group claims that a dirty tricks campaign is behind the delayed publication of a new hen harrier report. The report, called “A Conservation Framework for Hen Harriers in the UK”, contains “some highly damning evidence” that illegal persecution on grouse moors is one of the main reasons behind the species’ imperiled conservation status.

The Scottish Raptor Study Group accuses game-shooting lobbyists of employing delaying tactics so that the report is not published during the critical stages of the WANE Bill. If it is published, it would provide yet further evidence (if further evidence is needed) that illegal persecution is preventing the recovery of yet another protected raptor species. This evidence could persuade MSPs to support tough new measures that have been proposed to combat wildlife crime in Scotland, such as the licensing of shooting estates. Unsurprisingly, the game-shooting lobbyists are dead set against this proposal, and other similar measures, such as the introduction of vicarious liability. By suppressing the hen harrier report, they can continue to claim that everything in the shooting industry is above board and legal.

The report was supposed to have been published by SNH almost a year ago, in January 2010. Where is the public accountability? More importantly, where is the report? Perhaps the authors should email a copy to Julian Assange – he seems to be very good at publishing information that governments and others would rather be kept hidden.

Full details of the story at the SRSG website: http://www.scottishraptorgroups.org/news.php