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Jail for man convicted of persecuting raptors – not in Scotland, obviously

Take note, Scottish sheriffs. Here is an example of how to deal with a wildlife criminal who persecutes birds of prey.

Today, convicted wildlife criminal Jeffrey Lendrum was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison by Judge Christopher Hodson at Warwick Crown Court, England. He had been arrested in May at Birmingham International Airport when he was found to have 14 peregrine eggs wrapped in socks and strapped to his body. The eggs had been stolen from four separate nests in South Wales. Investigators believe they were stolen to order for an Arab falconer in Dubai.

During sentencing, Judge Hodson said: “These were eggs you had removed from the wild in Wales and you would have reduced the number of these high-level endangered species in the wild, birds which enhance the attraction of the countryside to all. I quote the words of a Lord Justice of Appeal (Lord Justice Sedley) when he says, ‘environmental crime, if established, strikes not only at a locality and its population but in some measure to the planet and its future’. Nobody should be allowed to doubt its seriousness or to forget that one side of the environmental story is always untold‘. I adopt these words to express the gravity of what you did.”

The court was also told that Lendrum had previous convictions for similar offences in Zimbabwe and Canada. Of the 14 eggs stolen in this case, 12 chicks hatched and 11 survived. 7 of these were fostered into nests in southern Scotland and 4 were reared and released in England.

BBC news story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-11024315

Scottish Countryside Alliance’s interesting Statistics

On the run up to “the glorious twelfth” as many gamekeepers and their employers wait to see how effective their pest control regimes have been, various pro-game shooting bodies spew out some new statistics which “reveal” that grouse shooting is worth £zillion to the Scottish economy or supports 99% of all Scottish jobs. One that caught my eye this week was the survey conducted by the Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) and publicised fairly widely.  Here’s an extract:

“An online survey has revealed a great deal of support for grouse shooting in Scotland, with 95% of respondents saying it would be ‘bad news for the Scottish countryside’ if grouse shooting were to stop.”

“The depth of support for one of the country’s most famous sporting events is highlighted by a survey carried out by the Scottish Countryside Alliance, a campaigning organisation which represents rural interests.”

“The survey also showed that 26% reported having a direct business interest in grouse shooting; 44% have an indirect business interest; and 69% think the sport is good for their community”

Anyone could be forgiven for thinking, Impressive figures! Who would have thought that grouse shooting was so important to the Scottish economy? This is until after some research, we discover that the survey was conducted online by visitors to the SCA website and restricted to the first 100 respondents. It’s like the first 100 visitors to a golf website saying that they like golf!

Only an idiot would be impressed by the biased results of this straw poll and pathetic attempt to generate a positive profile for driven grouse shooting.

Ross Montague, Director of SCA commented on the results of this survey, saying:  

This bolsters what we have been saying for quite some time now, that land management for country sports in general is important for the bio-diversity of the land and especially jobs. And it seems people living in the countryside agree.

Shooting is worth £240 million to the Scottish economy and this survey reveals that people realise its benefits. To lose grouse shooting would be akin to stopping golf throughout the country.

I think this last sentence demonstrates just how far into the world of fantasy the SCA is willing to go to portray a positive image of driven grouse shooting and ignore the illegal raptor persecution that this industry generates.

“the 12th is glorious for conservation” – is it really?

“The 12th is glorious for conservation”, according to the Countryside Alliance. In a remarkable and desperate piece of journalism, their website heralds new survey results collected by the Moorland Association:

“Everyone who loves country sports loves a good statistic: shooting contributes £1.6bn to the economy; 4 million people go angling every year; 57% of people believe the Hunting Act is not working. Now, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Moorland Association has carried out a survey that shows how much time and money is put into shooting and conservation in upland areas, and there are plenty of positive statistics to enjoy. 

Where moorland has been managed for grouse shooting, everything flourishes – the landscapes, the people and the economy. An uplands future based on shooting’s successful management model, with responsibility lying with those who already manage the land is common sense and we hope the healthy snapshot described by the Moorland Association’s survey can continue for many decades to come. Grouse moors are a true conservation success story, and something glorious to be celebrated.”
 
Hmm. Given they like statistics so much, how about this one, which they conveniently ‘forgot’ to include:
IN SCOTLAND, 85% OF PEOPLE CONVICTED FOR RAPTOR PERSECUTION CRIMES FROM 2003-2008 WERE GAMEKEEPERS. 
 
Not what I’d call “glorious for conservation”.
Figures from the latest RSPB report of illegal raptor persecution:

Young Gamekeeper of the Year winner is employed on estate with history of alleged criminal activities

The winner of this year’s Young Gamekeeper of the Year Award, as selected by the Scottish Gamekeeper’s Association, is 20-year old Graeme Dunlop, whose beat is the 14,000-acre North Drynachan Moor on Cawdor Estate near Nairn. Graeme stated in a post-award interview that he was, “Worried that the occasional discovery of poisoned birds is undermining all the political work being done by the SGA. We all know there’s no need for it in this day and age because there’s a place for everything. Nature will sort itself out.” If Graeme is serious in his condemnation of raptor persecution he is certainly in the right place to make a difference.

Cawdor Estate has been plagued with accusations about the persecution of birds of prey and cruelty to animals (none of which have been proven), and has been labeled as “an ecological desert”.

1992: A buzzard, magpie and sheep all laced with Strychnine are discovered on the Estate. 1993: A buzzard poisoned by the toxin Alphachloralose, found on Forestry Commission land 100 metres from the boundary of Cawdor Estate. 1994: Three buzzards and rabbit bait found poisoned by Alphachloralose on Cawdor. 1996: Three baits discovered containing poisons found on Cawdor: a hare laced with Alphachloralose, a goat with Aldicarb and a widgeon with Strychnine. 1996: A hidden pit containing suspected birds of prey poisoning kit uncovered by investigators three miles from Cawdor Castle. 1999: A report sent to the procurator fiscal alleging that mountain hares were illegally persecuted in snares on Cawdor Estate. 2000: A second report submitted to the fiscal claiming mistreatment of hares on Cawdor Estate. 2001: A dead golden eagle found on Cawdor Estate confirmed to contain the lethal poison Carbofuran. Naturally, no prosecutions ever resulted for any of these alleged offences.

In 1992, Cawdor Estate’s Sporting Manager was charged with wildlife offences. These related to the improper use of snares and allegations of cruelty involving hares. Charges were later dropped by the procurator fiscal due to “evidential difficulties”.

The award is presented by the Scottish Gamekeeper’s Association whose chairman, Alex Hogg, is no stranger to readers of this blog. On one hand Alex is a proud member of PAW (Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime) and publicly states that he and the SGA abhor the illegal persecution of raptors. On the other hand Alex has been making applications for licences to kill raptors to the Scottish Government for years now, all of which have been rejected. Alex’s simplistic view is, Scotland has a problem with illegal raptor persecution so legalise it and the problem disappears. Genius!

The award was presented at the Highland Field Sports Fair held at Moy Estate last weekend. Moy Estate is where two men have recently been charged with wildlife and firearms offences following the discovery of several dead raptors in suspicious circumstances.

Also attending the fair at Moy last weekend was The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA). This is the group that organised the letter signed by numerous Scottish estates to Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham, condemning the illegal poisoning of wildlife in Scotland. This letter turned out to be rather embarrassing when we revealed that several of the estates had past convictions for wildlife crimes, or indeed were being currently investigated for them –  Moy Estate falling into the latter category.

Yet still we hear the repeated claims from SGA and SRPBA that they are doing all they can to stop raptor persecution by eliminating the ‘rogue’ members who continue this disgusting tradition. How does attending this fair on Moy Estate translate as ‘doing all they can’?  I trust their bed-fellows involved with the PAW Scotland group will be asking the very same question.

We wish Graeme the very best of luck and hope that he can use his award to influence and educate others in the industry about the illegality of raptor persecution.

For the SGA press release about the award: http://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/content/young-gamekeeper-year-announced

New group to tackle wildlife crime in persecution hotspot

A new group to tackle wildlife crime was launched today by Scottish Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham.

The Tayside Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (Tayside PAW) appears to be an off-shoot of the nationally ineffective Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime. It’s not clear how this local group’s work will differ from the national group, other than it might actually get something done. Lord knows something needs to be done in Tayside – the region with the worst statistics for the persecution of raptors (see previous post on 2009 poisoning figures).

The contact for this new group is Alan Stewart, the Wildlife Liaison Officer for Tayside Police. Yes, the very same Tayside Police who have been recently criticised by the RSPB for ineffective follow-up on alleged raptor persecution incidents in this region, most notably concerning eagles at a certain notorious black-spot in the Angus glens (see the blog post May 3rd 2010).  Alan Stewart is also an executive member of PAW Scotland and chairman of the PAW training and awareness sub-group (whatever that is).

For BBC news story on Tayside PAW: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-10939533

For Tayside Police press release: http://www.tayside.police.uk/newsitem.php?id=2048

The illegal poisoning of Scottish raptors continues

The government-funded organisation Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) has just published its latest report on the illegal poisoning of wildlife, including raptors, in Scotland during 2009.

Of 166 reported incidents of suspected poisoning, 36 were categorised as ‘abuse’ of pesticide use. As in previous years, a high proportion (61%) of abuse incidents involved birds of prey. Carbofuran was once again the most common pesticide detected, even though the UK approval for use of products containing this chemical expired in 2001 and it is a criminal offence to own it.

22 abuse incidents involving 30 raptors were confirmed:

Buzzard = 22; Golden eagle = 2; White-tailed eagle = 1; Tawny owl = 1; Red kite = 4.

The regional breakdown of abuse incidents demonstrates once more the widespread nature of these crimes:

Borders = 5 incidents; Dumfries & Galloway = 1; Grampian = 1; Highland = 2; Strathclyde = 3; Tayside = 10.

The report does not include other incidents of illegal raptor persecution such as shooting, trapping and nest destruction.

In an article published in the Press & Journal, Chairman of the North-East Raptor Study Group, Rab Rae, stated the obvious: “Pesticides are used regularly by the farming community but they are now being used by the shooting fraternity. It is not an accident, it is deliberate to enhance grouse moors“.

In a rebuttal, Chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Alex Hogg, said: “The RSG and all their members are well aware that we condemn any poisoning of wildlife. Our organisations are working towards finding solutions to the problem so it’s hardly helpful or constructive to point accusatory fingers while that process continues“.

So tell us Alex, what exactly has the SGA done in its efforts to “work towards finding solutions” to the continuing illegal killing of Scottish raptors? It could legitimately be argued that sitting on the largely ineffective Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) committee is a good cover for paying lip-service to raptor conservation. Talk is cheap – what ACTIONS has the SGA taken to stop criminal activities? And no, trying to legalize the killing of protected species by asking the Scottish government to provide licences to kill raptors doesnt count! According to the latest figures from the RSPB (in their report The Illegal Killing of Birds of Prey in Scotland in 2009), 85% of people convicted for illegally killing birds of prey between 2003-2008 were gamekeepers! Like I said, talk is cheap.

Download the SASA report here: SASA poisoning report 2009

Read the Press & Journal article here: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1856188?UserKey&UserKey=

Download the RSPB report here: Persecution Scotland 2009

During 2009, SASA reports that 19 cats and 19 dogs were also killed by poisoning. To report an incident of suspected illegal poisoning, call the SASA confidential hotline on Freephone 0800-321600.

2 more northumbrian kites found dead

A pair of red kites which became well known to birdwatchers and tourists have been found dead near Stocksfield, Northumberland. The bird carcasses have now been sent to the London Institute of Zoology for forensic analysis to determine how they died.

Numerous birdwatchers travelled to the kites’ nesting site near Whittonstall, Northumberland, last year, where they were clearly visible at long-range for several months. Visitors used the vantage point provided by the Highland Cattle Centre on the opposite side of a small valley to view the isolated nest high in trees.

This suspected case of persecution comes only a few months after 2 red kites were found dead illegally poisoned near Hexham, Northumberland.

Hogg Wash…

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association website is always an entertaining read. Whether it’s Alex Hogg, that self styled guardian of the countryside, promoting the idea of law abiding gamekeepers becoming special constables or discussing whether Scotland or Ireland is the most likely place for eagles to be poisoned.  It’s like a tweed clad version of the ministry of misinformation.

I particularly look forward to the rather infrequent entries in our old friend Alex Hogg’s blog. In this most recent entry on “Hogg Blog” ,Alex tells us of his continuing battle with the Scottish Government over licences to kill buzzards and his apparent disbelief and frustration that he will not be granted a licence to kill these pesky birds that  have the audacity to eat a few of his pheasants. I can’t imagine why he sounds so surprised as none other than the Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham had announced this fact weeks ago.

It seems incredible that in a modern forward thinking country, in this International Year of Biodiversity and with Scotland’s shocking record of raptor persecution that the legalised killing of raptors should be on anyone’s agenda.  Anyway, here’s his entry for 4th Aug 2010 a mere 12 days after the RSPB announced that 2009 had been the worst year for raptor persecution for 20 years.

Its buzzard central here and they’re not just predating the release pens. Only an hour ago I watched one fly off with a poult it killed within a few yards of the garage beside my house and I’m pulling my hair out with frustration.

We put in every possible deterrent and I really thought the problem wasn’t going to be so bad this year but the last week has been a nightmare. So on Friday I contacted the local Government office and asked inspectors to come and see the problem and issue a licence to control the buzzards that are doing most of the killing. They came yesterday (four days later) and heard and saw the menace for themselves. At one point we could hardly hear ourselves speak for the noise the birds were making.

But the officials confirmed what we have suspected for the last six weeks: that despite the SGA negotiating the conditions for the issue of such licences with Government at numerous meetings over the past year, the process has come to an abrupt halt. No licences will be forthcoming. No matter how severe the problem.

What the hell do I do now?

 

My goodness Alex, it looks like you’ll be trawling ebay for a set of ear defenders and a wig.

Record Year for Raptor Poisoning

Published on Friday an annual RSPB Scotland report confirmed that 2009 marked the highest number of raptor poisoning incidents for 2 decades. “The Illegal Killing of Birds of Prey in Scotland in 2009”  indicates that human persecution continues to have a serious impact on the populations of some of the country’s most vulnerable species.

Last year, 21 buzzards, 4 red kites, 2 golden eagles and 1 white-tailed eagle, the latter gifted to Scotland from Norway as part of a reintroduction programme, were among the victims in 46 poisoning cases confirmed by Scottish Government testing.

Illegal killing, through shooting, nest destruction or the use of spring traps, were also confirmed in nine incidents. As many raptors are long-lived and have slow reproduction rates the killing of these species, particularly adult breeding birds, has dire consequences for their populations as a whole. This illegal persecution is affecting the conservation status of raptors such as hen harriers, golden eagles and red kites.

The vast majority of poisoning incidents were associated with shooting estates and in particular grouse moors. Predictably, various pro-shooting bodies have attempted to discredit the RSPB Scotland figures and  fudge the issue.  Notably, the landowners’ organisation, the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) said the figures were misleading.

A spokesman said: “The official government report on the illegal poisoning of birds of prey for 2009, published in March 2010, shows the level has stayed the same for the last three years with the exception of 2008 when there were 16 incidents. There is ample legislation in existence to deal with this problem and we support the full weight of the law being brought to bear on those using illegal poisons.”

As these crimes are mainly committed in extremely remote areas and discovered by hill walkers and similar outdoor enthusiasts stumbling upon dead birds, it must be remembered that these “confirmed” cases must represent only a fraction of the true number of raptors illegally killed each year.

The increase in these incidents proves beyond reasonable doubt that the perpetrators of these crimes have little  fear of the Scottish judiciary system. Perhaps if the penalties for killing our birds of prey were more of a deterrent we would see this disgraceful trend reverse.

Press and Journal report. http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1838869

BBC News Report. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-10730222

RSPB Report. http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/illegalkillingscotland_tcm9-256571.pdf

Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB Scotland discusses the report on Radio 4’s Today http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8847000/8847745.stm

Scottish and Irish Governments to Work Together on Raptor Persecution.

The Scottish and Irish governments are to work together to tackle the problem of raptor poisoning.

The Scottish Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham has written to her Irish counterpart asking for a meeting to discuss the “unacceptable problem” and the possibility of joint initiatives.

Both countries have seen a sharp rise in poisoning incidents in recent months some of which have been widely publicised. Figures released in March showed the number of birds of prey being killed with poison in Scotland had increased, with a total of 22 poisonings recorded in 2009. In May, 10 protected birds of prey were confirmed poisoned across the Irish Republic over a period of a few weeks.

Ms Cunningham said: “Both countries are committed to a healthier future for golden eagles. “Sadly, poisoning is still being reported but both governments find this behaviour unacceptable. I believe that collaboration could help us in the fight to stop this damage to our biodiversity and to our international reputations.”

Full Story. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-10702180