News – Raptor Persecution UK

New date for Raeshaw Estate’s judicial review of General Licence restriction

A new court date has been set for Raeshaw Estate’s judicial review of its latest General Licence restriction.

In February this year, NatureScot imposed a three-year General Licence restriction on Raeshaw Estate, a grouse-shooting estate in the Scottish Borders believed to be under the management of ‘grouse guru’ sporting agent Mark Osborne.

The General Licence restriction related to the disappearance of a satellite-tagged Golden Eagle called ‘Merrick’, who Police Scotland believe was ‘shot & killed‘ as she slept in a tree on neighbouring land close to Raeshaw Estate’s boundary, in October 2023.

*Camera trap photo of Golden Eagle Merrick, from the* South Scotland Golden Eagle Project

*Raeshaw Estate boundary, from data provided by Andy Wightman’s*
*Who Owns Scotland* *website*

*Screen grab from Who Owns Scotland website, annotated by RPUK, showing the proximity of Merrick’s last known location and the Raeshaw Estate (shaded in blue)*

Raeshaw subsequently appealed the General Licence restriction decision to NatureScot but in April 2026 that appeal was lost.

Raeshaw then applied to the Court of Session in Edinburgh for a judicial review of NatureScot’s decision-making process, and permission to proceed was granted, which indicates that the court thinks that Raeshaw has an arguable case, although the details are not yet public.

A substantive hearing was for 29 September 2026 but that has now been changed to a two-day hearing on 2nd and 3rd December 2026.

This isn’t the first time Raeshaw Estate has been subject to a General Licence restriction in relation to wildlife crime and nor is it the first time it has tried to overturn it via judicial review.

This is an unprecedented second General Licence restriction for Raeshaw Estate. It was one of the first estates to receive a General Licence restriction in 2015, based on clear police evidence that wildlife crimes had been committed although, just as with the latest General Licence restriction, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute any individual (see here).

Representatives of Raeshaw Estate applied for a judicial review of NatureScot’s 2015 decision but the Court of Session upheld NatureScot’s procedures and ruled the process was lawful (here).

Whilst under that first General Licence restriction, Raeshaw Estate applied for, and was granted, a number of ‘individual licences’ so the gamekeepers could continue to kill certain species as part of the estate’s grouse moor management plan (quite a lot of birds were lawfully killed – see here).

However, in 2017 the individual licence was revoked by NatureScot due to non-compliance issues and more suspected wildlife crime offences (see here).

As far as I’m aware, nobody has ever been prosecuted for any of the substantial number of confirmed and suspected wildlife crimes that have been reported in this area over the last 25 years (see here for a list compiled in 2017).

In relation to the current General Licence restriction imposed after the disappearance of Golden Eagle Merrick, Raeshaw Estate has stated that it considers the restriction is “wholly unjustified” and claims “The estate has zero tolerance for raptor persecution and remains fully committed to respecting wildlife, nature and the environment”.

The judicial review will not establish guilt or innocence in the relation to the disappearance and alleged shooting and killing of Golden Eagle Merrick. The purpose of the judicial review is to establish whether NatureScot followed lawful procedure in its decision-making process when imposing the latest General Licence restriction on Raeshaw Estate.

Red Kite dies after being found with gunshot injuries in Peak District National Park – Police appeal for information

Derbyshire Constabulary has issued an appeal for information (27 September 2026) following the discovery of a shot Red Kite in the Peak District National Park on or before 7th July 2026.

RURAL CRIME APPEAL – RED KITE SHOT

We are appealing for information following the discovery of an injured Red Kite in the Buxton and Combs area.

WHEN: Before or on Tuesday 7th July

WHERE: Above Buxton and below Combs – mapping coordinates were 53.293834, -1.940895

Location of shot Red Kite in Peak District National Park (map annotated by RPUK)

An injured Red Kite was brought to a local veterinary practice after being found by a member of the public. When initially assessed by vets, the kite was in shock and appeared to be playing dead. There was swelling and bleeding around the injured area of its wing.

Following X-rays, it was sadly discovered that the kite had pellets embedded in its left wing, indicating that it had been shot. Despite receiving veterinary treatment, the kite sadly passed away.

X-Rays and wound photos via Derbyshire Constabulary:

WE ARE APPEALING FOR INFORMATION

We appreciate that the information available at this stage is limited, including the exact time the incident occurred. However, any information could be important.

Were you in the area around Buxton, Combs or the surrounding countryside around this time?

Did you see anything unusual or suspicious?

Did you see any vehicles or people in the area that may have been relevant?

Even if you are unsure whether the information you have is relevant, please get in touch. Something that may seem insignificant could assist with our enquiries.

If you have any information, please quote 26*431851 and report by calling 101.

ENDS

My commentary:

Given the extent of what looks like a traumatic fracture of the ulna, shown in the two X-rays, I’d say it would seem unlikely that this Red Kite would have been capable of flying a long distance from where it was shot.

Yet another raptor persecution victim, in an area where gamebird shooting is prominent and in a so-called National Park well known for crimes against birds of prey.

An important scientific paper published in the journal British Birds in 2018 demonstrated the association of land managed for driven grouse shooting in the Dark Peak with the persecution of birds of prey, notably Peregrines and Goshawks, between 1995 – 2015.

Since then, there have been many raptor (and Raven) persecution crimes in the Peak District National Park, most involving shooting or poisoning (e.g. see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here).

Apart from the conviction of a gamekeeper in 2011 (which was later upheld after an appeal in 2012), I can’t recall any subsequent convictions for raptor persecution crimes committed in the Peak District National Park over the subsequent 15 years.

Not only is police enforcement failing, but long-term attempts at so-called ‘partnership-working’ was also an abject failure, with the Peak District Bird of Prey Initiative collapsing after 12 years of consistently failing to meet its targets because raptor persecution was so rampant.

The only effective measure that I’ve seen was from the National Trust, who withdrew two grouse shoot tenancies on its moorlands in the National Park after seeing evidence of suspected (here) and confirmed (here) wildlife crime.

I’ll be making this point in my submission to Defra’s Call for Evidence on gamebird shooting.

More breeding success for Hen Harriers on RSPB reserves – this time in Wales

Further to reports of this year’s Hen Harrier breeding success on RSPB-managed moorland in Bowland, Lancashire (here) and on Geltsdale, Cumbria (here), there’s now confirmation of further success on RSPB reserves in Wales.

RSPB statement (23 September 2026):

HEN HARRIERS CELEBRATE SUCCESSFUL BREEDING SEASON IN WALES

There’s encouraging news for one of Wales’ most threatened birds of prey, following a successful breeding season at RSPB Cymru nature reserves.

At RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, six Hen Harrier territories were established this spring, with five nests successfully fledging 17 young. A further four chicks fledged at nearby RSPB Tanrallt, bringing the total across the two sites to 21 young Hen Harriers.

Hen Harriers have specific habitat requirements, typically nesting on the ground among heather and other tall vegetation within open upland landscapes. Managing a mosaic of upland habitats can provide suitable places to nest alongside the feeding areas they need to successfully raise young.

The results at Lake Vyrnwy are particularly significant. Despite the reserve accounting for less than 1% of the potentially suitable Hen Harrier breeding habitat across Wales, more than 20% of the estimated Welsh population used the reserve during the breeding season.

There was more good news further south at RSPB Carngafallt, where three Hen Harrier chicks successfully fledged this summer. This brings the total to 19 fledged chicks at the reserve since 2022.

The breeding successes highlight just how important well-managed upland landscapes can be for Hen Harriers, providing the combination of nesting and feeding habitat these spectacular birds need.

ENDS

Natural England has not yet published the overall Hen Harrier breeding figures for England this year. Those numbers will be interesting, for a comparison between land managed for conservation and land managed for grouse shooting.

Results from the last two years have been illuminating, and simply don’t support the shooting industry’s repeated ludicrous claim that Hen Harriers do better on grouse moors than on RSPB-managed land.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust finds its voice & calls for Government action on raptor persecution

Following North Yorkshire Police’s appeal for information about the recent discovery of a Marsh Harrier with gunshot injuries found in the Westerdale area of the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) has responded with an unusually robust statement.

On its Facebook page yesterday, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust said that “It is no longer enough to condemn these actions – our communities and wildlife deserve to thrive together, and it is our collective duty to hold those responsible for destroying our wildlife to account“.

The social media post then linked to a full statement on the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s web site, reproduced here:

MARSH HARRIER SHOT ON NORTH YORK MOORS – OUR RESPONSE, 22 SEPTEMBER 2026

We are outraged to hear that in August, a marsh harrier was found shot at Westerdale within the North York Moors National Park.

Despite being protected by law, this poor bird had been left to suffer for days until found; sadly it couldn’t be treated and had to be euthanised to halt its suffering.

This latest case of cruelty and negligence, comes barely three months after a golden eagle was reported to have been shot 17 times in northern England and a tagged white-tailed eagle ‘went missing’ on the North York Moors, it is clear there are people in these landscapes who are careless and callous enough to harm these magnificent birds, and publicity does not stop their illegal behaviour.

North Yorkshire is nationally infamous for raptor persecution, with a report by the RSPB this year showing that one in five confirmed cases of shootings in England over the past ten years took place in our county. This is not an accolade or an achievement. We want to see anyone who has been involved in facilitating criminal actions like this to be held to account.

It is clear that the ‘self-policing’ approach of the shooting industry is failing and there is little sign of those who should be responsible taking clear visible action to stop and drive out this criminality. It is time for Government to take stronger action to prevent these wildlife crimes.

Defra is also currently seeking evidence on the impacts of gamebird rearing, release and shooting, including wildlife crime, and we encourage anyone with relevant evidence or experience to respond to the call for evidence by 11:59pm on 1 November 2026.

Birds of prey play an important role in our ecosystems, bringing awe and wonder to the majority of Yorkshire folk lucky enough to see them, their appearance in our skies are down to the work of conservation bodies, volunteers and local people. Persecution robs everyone the chance of seeing these special birds and destroys all those years of effort.

We urge anyone who has information that can help North Yorkshire Police establish who was involved in this case to contact them. It is no longer enough to condemn these actions – our communities and wildlife deserve to thrive together, and it is our collective duty to hold those responsible for destroying our wildlife to account.

You can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or emailing kimberley.laws@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting incident number 12260171320.

ENDS

With the exception of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, it’s quite unusual to see any of the country’s Wildlife Trusts speaking out so clearly and forcefully on the issue of raptor persecution. It’s long been a bugbear of mine that organisations like the Wildlife Trusts, who are in a position of authority and influence, have shied away from prominent campaigning on this issue.

So I applaud Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for its unequivocal stance and hope that other Wildlife Trusts will follow its lead and not be too frightened by the inevitable backlash from the game-shooting industry, who are probably already composing threats to report the YWT to the Charities Commission, in the same way the Moorland Association did against the charity ‘Friends of the Dales’ for its Eyes to the Skies campaign earlier this year.

Marsh Harrier found shot in North York Moors National Park – Police appeal for information

Press release from North Yorkshire Police (21 September 2026):

Marsh Harrier found shot in North York Moors

On 28 August 2026 a juvenile Marsh Harrier was found in the Westerdale area suffering from injuries that left it unable to fly.

Following examination, it was established that the bird had been shot and is believed to have been lying injured for several days prior to being found. Unfortunately, the injuries were so severe that there was no prospect of recovery, and on welfare grounds the bird had to be humanely euthanised.

The Marsh Harrier is a specially protected bird of prey under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or disturb these birds, or to damage or destroy their nests or eggs.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information in connection with this incident. Anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area, or who has information that could assist the investigation, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or emailing kimberley.laws@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting incident number 12260171320.

If you have concerns regarding the persecution of birds of prey or any other wildlife crime, please report the matter to the police. Information from the public can play a vital role in helping to protect wildlife and bring offenders to justice.

ENDS

Yet another raptor persecution victim, in a so-called National Park, in an area where gamebird shooting is prominent, and in an area well known as a wildlife crime hotspot (e.g. see here, here and here).

And not the first Marsh Harrier victim in Yorkshire either – for others see here, here and here.

This Marsh Harrier was found with shotgun injuries next to a Red-legged Partridge pen on a shooting estate in East Yorkshire in 2016. After expert veterinary attention and rehabilitation care she was released back to the wild (see here).

In 2017/2018 Amanda Anderson (then of the Moorland Association, the grouse moor owners’ lobby group in England) denied that her members were interested in obtaining licences permitting them to kill Marsh Harriers but several witnesses said otherwise.

Motive, means, opportunity. They’re all there, in spades, but the standard of evidence required to charge someone with the alleged shooting probably is not; without a direct witness in this remote landscape, there’s the (albeit slim) possibility that it wasn’t someone connected with gamebird shooting who shot this Marsh Harrier, and that’s enough reasonable doubt for this case to never get anywhere near a court of law.

Apart from the 2008 conviction of three gamekeepers on the Snilesworth Estate, I actually can’t remember anybody being charged and prosecuted for crimes against birds of prey in the North York Moors National Park in the following 18 years, despite a high volume of recorded crimes during this period*.

The closest the police have come was probably the Bransdale case during lockdown in 2020, where a witness reported seeing a number of armed men shooting at Buzzards on an estate in the North York Moors National Park, and five dead Buzzards were later found buried under rocks – four had definitely been shot and the fifth had probably been shot. Despite extensive investigative efforts by the police, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to charge anyone (see here).

Perhaps visitors and local residents of this National Park (and all the other National Parks where raptors are still targeted by criminals within the gamebird shooting industry) will consider making a submission to Defra’s current Call for Evidence on all aspects of gamebird shooting, to share their experience of finding injured and/or dead raptors in the National Park, or their disappointment at not being able to enjoy seeing the full suite of UK birds of prey that should naturally be breeding in these so-called protected landscapes.

You don’t even have to wade through the 100+ questions on the official submissions form to provide your evidence. You can simply write about your first-hand experience in an email, addressed to Gamebirds@defra.gov.uk (write ‘Call for Evidence’ in the subject line) and it’ll be accepted in to the review.

Closing date is 1 November 2026.

*Update: Thanks to the blog reader who reminded me about the 2013 conviction of gamekeeper Shaun Allanson for offences committed on the Blansby Estate, near Pickering, right on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.

Reported Pheasant numbers in England don’t add up

Earlier this month, researcher, writer and campaigner Guy Shrubsole blogged about his latest examination of reported Pheasants numbers in England.

As he’s done in previous years (e.g. see here), Guy submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Government’s Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) asking for the official figures on the number of Pheasants being bred, reared and released in England. It’s a legal requirement for keepers of captive birds, including gamebirds, to register.

As of August 2026, according to the latest FoI response, 26.37 million Pheasants were reported as being bred, reared or released in England. This compares to 25.9 million Pheasants reported in July 2025, and 25.7 million Pheasants reported in January 2024.

Guy suggests two possible explanations for the ongoing increase in reported Pheasant numbers:

a) The industry is gradually getting better at reporting; or,

b) The figures simply reflect an ongoing expansion in the size of the industry.

Whatever the explanation, these figures are still well below the estimated 50 million Pheasants that are known to be released annually into the countryside; a figure provided by the gamebird shooting industry itself, even when the source is masquerading as ‘The UK’s Conservation Factchecking Resource‘, which is actually a website run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, (GWCT).

That’s an awful lot of Pheasants (approx 24 million) still unaccounted for in the ‘official’ records.

Guy’s blog helpfully includes a link to a spreadsheet with this year’s ‘official’ figures, broken down into categories of birds being bred, reared and released in England. He also includes a summary of the data for the last three years:

These figures are very revealing, because they show a large discrepancy between the number of Pheasants being bred and reared for shooting and the number of Pheasants being released for shooting.

They don’t add up!

What happened to the 5-6 million Pheasants that were reported as being bred and reared that weren’t subsequently released?

Has anyone at APHA noticed this discrepancy? If so, what action is being taken? Is there any monitoring? Are there any compliance checks?

Failure to register with APHA is an offence, but it’s been going on for years. In a Natural England and BASC-commissioned report published in 2020, registration compliance (for Pheasant keepers) was estimated to be less than 25%.

This low level of compliance on registering Pheasants will come as no surprise to anyone who pays attention to the behaviour of the UK gamebird shooting industry. It’s not an industry celebrated for adherence to the law on many issues, including the illegal killing of birds of prey, the illegal setting and use of traps, the illegal possession, storage and use of pesticides and poisons, the illegal burning of deep peat moorland, the illegal use of toxic lead ammunition to kill waterfowl, the illegal release of gamebirds in Special Protection Areas etc etc.

Submissions to Defra’s current Call for Evidence on all aspects of the gamebird shooting industry are going to be fascinating.

Record year for hen Harriers at RSPB’s Geltsdale Reserve in Cumbria

Press release from RSPB, 18 September 2026:

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM AS RECORD YEAR FOR HEN HARRIER CHICKS AT RSPB GELTSDALE

Thirteen Hen Harrier chicks have successfully fledged at RSPB Geltsdale in Cumbria. The remarkable achievement marks the highest number of Hen Harrier chicks to fledge at the nature reserve in a single breeding season since records began more than a century ago. It reflects the dedication of reserve staff and volunteers, who worked tirelessly to protect nesting birds and support the adults as they raised their young.

Hen Harrier chicks at Geltsdale. Photo by Jim Harvey

The success offers hope for the species’ recovery, but illegal persecution remains a major threat for this spectacular bird of prey. Once hunted to extinction as a breeding bird in England by 1900, Hen Harriers returned to the north Pennines in the 1950s. However, the illegal killing of these amazing birds, that are celebrated for their sky dancing, has continued and to this day they still are only found at a handful of sites in England. 

Despite this year’s success, illegal persecution continues to limit the recovery of Hen Harriers in England. This year at Geltsdale, staff set up Natural England-licensed diversionary feeding stations. This well-established technique is used to minimise the adults preying on grouse on neighbouring shooting estates when they are feeding their young. Staff also actively monitored the nesting sites day and night to minimise disturbance, working around the clock. 

Celebrating the news, Ian Ryding, reserve manager at RSPB Geltsdale said:

“Hen Harriers are amazing birds, their sky dancing as the male passes food to the female is a spectacular sight everyone visiting the Cumbria should have the chance to see. But sadly, even as we celebrate this amazing success that should be giving us hope for the future of a Red-listed species, there is the spectre that these birds will soon be targeted by those who think nothing of killing our wildlife when it threatens their profits. 

“By supporting both parents we have seen three nests thrive and 13 chicks fledge, the most for at least a century in this part of the world. We hope to see these chicks return in future years to raise their own families, but unfortunately we fear that for that to happen we will need to see more done to stop the illegal killing of these special birds“.

According to Government estimates, England’s uplands have the capacity to support at least 300 pairs of Hen Harriers. Yet the species remains on the UK Red List and far below its potential population size. 

Evidence gathered over many years continues to show that illegal persecution is one of the principal barriers to recovery, with many birds disappearing in and around areas managed for grouse shooting. The RSPB is therefore calling for the introduction of licensing for gamebird shooting across the UK. 

A licensing system, similar to that introduced for grouse moor management in Scotland in 2024, would be a proportionate and cost-effective measure aimed at deterring wildlife crime and helping to secure a future for Hen Harriers. Without further action, conservation successes such as this year’s record breeding season at RSPB Geltsdale risk remaining the exception rather than becoming the norm. 

This year’s success at RSPB Geltsdale is an amazing and much needed success for Hen Harriers, and a credit to the hard work of the people involved in helping these birds get the best possible start to life. A number of the chicks have already been tagged so their progress can be tracked as they set out into the world. 

Ian Ryding concluded: “For now, thirteen young Hen Harriers taking to the skies above Geltsdale is a reason to celebrate. The challenge is ensuring they survive long enough to return and raise families of their own“.

ENDS

Great news from the RSPB’s Geltsdale Reserve, and yet more evidence that Hen Harriers can do really well on RSPB-managed moorland (see this year’s success at Bowland this year, here), especially when they’re encouraged not to hunt on nearby grouse moors, where there’s a long history of hunting males ‘disappearing’ (e.g. at Geltsdale: 1 x hunting male in 2020, 2 x hunting males in 2021, 2 x hunting males in 2023, 2 x hunting males in 2025, see here, here, and here) or being found dead with gunshot injuries (e.g. 1 x hunting male in 2023, here).

Funnily enough, I’ve yet to see any evidence of record Hen Harrier breeding success on English grouse moors this year, despite the repeated claims by shooters on social media that ‘Hen Harriers do better on grouse moors than on RSPB-managed moors‘.

The evidence just doesn’t support that myth – e.g. see here for last year’s report from Natural England, where perhaps 3 of 39 Hen Harrier breeding attempts were on privately-owned grouse moors. Natural England has not yet published the figures for this year’s Hen Harrier breeding attempts.

I’m afraid I don’t agree with the RSPB’s call for gamebird licensing. It isn’t working in Scotland, where grouse shoot licensing was introduced in 2024 and yet the illegal killing of birds of prey continues without significant consequence, so there’s no reason to believe that licensing would work in England. Athough licensing would definitely be better than maintaining the status quo, I just don’t see it as a long-term solution.

Defra’s current Call for Evidence on all aspects of gamebird rearing, releasing and shooting in England, which will be used to inform future policy in this area, is very welcome. More on that next week.

Police Scotland appeals for information after Red Kite caught in illegal trap in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire

Appeal for information issued by Police Scotland, 15 September 2026:

APPEAL AFTER RED KITE CAUGHT IN ILLEGAL TRAP – STRATHDON, ABERDEENSHIRE

Officers are appealing for information after a bird of prey was caught in an illegally set ‘Duke’ coil spring trap in May, 2026 in the Strathdon area of Aberdeenshire.

The trap set is not approved for use in Scotland.

Extensive enquiries have been carried out, and we are now appealing to the public for information.

Constable Ann Ashman said: “Red kites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and it is illegal to take, injure or kill a protected species.

“Trapping a bird or animal is not only cruel, but it can also harm other wildlife and members of the public.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone with information on the incident, or the use of this particular Duke coil spring trap in the area, to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1053 of 18 May, 2026. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

ENDS

This appeal for information is pretty scant on details, although it’s helpful that Police Scotland provided a photo of the trap, which is a leg-hold trap with the same function as a gin trap, with which most readers will be familiar.

There’s no information about the circumstances of the discovery of the trapped Red Kite, nor of its fate. And it’s not clear why it’s taken four months for the appeal for information to be issued, although Police Scotland does say ‘extensive enquiries’ have been carried out.

The location is also quite vague – Strathdon sits on the edge of the north-east side of the Cairngorms National Park.

Blog readers will be familiar with the name – it has featured with regularity on this blog over many years, most recently after the collapse of a criminal trial against two local gamekeepers who had been accused of shooting Red Kites in the area.

The Strathdon area is a well-documented raptor persecution hotspot, where gamebird shooting (Red Grouse & Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges) is prominent. The continued persecution of birds of prey in this area is providing plenty of evidence to demonstrate that grouse shoot licensing is not effective as a deterrent.

Senedd Environment Committee asked to restrict eagle-killing poisons

Press release from Wildlife Poisoning Research UK (WPRUK), 7 September 2026:

THE KILLING MUST STOP! SENEDD ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ASKED TO RESTRICT EAGLE-KILLING POISONS

Following on from the public outcry when it was revealed that sea eagles in Britain were being poisoned by toxic rat poisons, the research group WPRUK has called on the Senedd’s Environment Committee to push for tighter restrictions on the use of these poisons.

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle (Photo by Pete Walkden)

Currently anyone can go into a shop or use the internet to buy amateur use poisons with no questions asked, no training required and no need to follow any safety codes. There is also a complete lack of any meaningful investigation scheme when these poisons kill wildlife.

These toxins, known as Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides or SGARs, enter the food chain when birds of prey and other predators eat poisoned rats, the victims dying from what is called ‘secondary poisoning’, the persistent chemicals being concentrated in rat livers.

A risk assessment in 2012 concluded that these SGAR toxins should not be used outdoors due to this secondary poisoning risk. However, the UK Government ignored this and allowed the chemical companies to keep selling the toxins to both professional users (farmers and pest controllers) and any householder wishing to get rid of unwanted rodents. Even more alarming, the Government relaxed the regulations on where the highest toxicity poisons could be used, allowing these to be used outdoors for the first time. The Welsh Government followed Westminster’s lead and allowed an environmental catastrophe to unfold.

The continued unrestrained use of these chemicals was permitted on the condition that the chemical industry improved the manner in which they were used. This was enshrined in what became known as the ‘Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme’ or RSS. This scheme was meant to achieve a ‘significant reduction’ in poison exposure in wildlife.

There have now been numerous scientific studies investigating poison levels in wildlife. Not one of these has found a reduction in poison exposure in any of the species studied. Clearly the chemical industry has totally failed to protect the environment. So far, the Welsh and Westminster Governments have taken no meaningful action to address this, while the chemical companies continue to make profits from selling the poisons.

Not only has the chemical industry failed to reduce toxins in the environment but there is now new evidence showing these levels are soaring up. WPRUK collects data on buzzards and other wildlife in Wales and England. In one of the biggest studies so far, it was found that during 2020 to 2024 over 60 % of buzzards tested had SGAR poison levels above the point at which the birds start to die. Over the last 20 years, the level of exposure to one the most toxic SGARs, Brodifacoum, has soared by 1,026 %.

WPRUK is now calling for tighter controls on how these poisons are used in Wales, submitting a detailed report to the Senedd’s Environment Committee. The group is calling for a ban on the sale of these poisons to the general public and for their use by professional users to be limited to indoor areas only, so that wildlife will not be exposed to the toxins by secondary poisoning.

In submitting the paper to the Committee, Dr Ed Blane from WPRUK said: “The killing of our threatened wildlife by these poisons has to stop and the Welsh Government now has the powers to achieve this. So far it appears that our leaders in Cardiff have just ignored this growing environmental disaster and are just complying with Westminster regulations despite the harm that this is doing to our wildlife in Wales.

“Politicians in London maintain that these deadly SGAR toxins are still available to anyone to buy as there are no other alternative products available to control rats. This is simply not true as there are now other products available which do not cause this secondary damage to wildlife. It appears that Government policy is more concerned about the profits of chemical companies than safeguarding wildlife.

“Wales has led the way in the UK with positive action to protect wildlife such as banning snares and glue traps. Now it is time for the Welsh Government to take action to control these indiscriminate poisons. Iconic species such as eagles must be protected from the threat of secondary poisoning, too many of these majestic birds have died already. WPRUK is calling on the Senedd’s Environment Committee to support this campaign to safeguard our wildlife“.

ENDS

Satellite-tagged Montagu’s Harrier killed in train collision

Last month the RSPB announced the successful fledging of six red-listed Montagu’s Harrier chicks from two nests at a secret location in England (see here).

The UK’s rarest breeding bird of prey, this year’s breeding success was down to excellent partnership working between farmers, birdwatchers and the RSPB.

Two of the six young harriers were fitted with state-of-the-art satellite tags to monitor their 7,000 mile migration journey to West Africa. These were two females named ‘HV’ and ‘FH’.

Sadly, ‘FH’ has already met an untimely end.

An update posted on the RSPB’s Meet the Montagu’s Harriers web page on 3 September 2026 reads as follows:

HV continues to make great progress and has now passed through Luxembourg and is just inside France! Will she continue south and avoid the Alps?

However, we also have some terrible news from FH. We were initially worried by a cold tag temperature, as this indicated that she was probably dead. But the data also suggested that she was rapidly moving between two locations around 30 miles part. Looking into it showed that these locations match those of a west to east railway line and, with the help of the staff, we have now located her body.

Sadly, FH had been struck by a train and carried along the route. The tag was still in perfect working order enabling us to locate and recover her body. This is a terrible shock for the team and just highlights the unpredictability of working with this species.

To follow HV’s journey, see the RSPB’s Monty’s web page, here.

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