Tag: red kite

Court case delayed against Wiltshire gamekeeper Archie Watson

Criminal proceedings against a 21-year-old gamekeeper for multiple alleged raptor persecution and firearms offences have been delayed.

Archie Watson, of Dragon Lane in Manningford Bruce near Pewsey, Wiltshire, was due to appear at Swindon Magistrates next Wednesday (25th May 2022) to face six charges under the Wildlife & Countryside Act and three charges under firearms legislation, for offences alleged to have been committed on an unnamed game-shooting estate in 2019.

However, this case has now been adjourned to 1st June 2022 where Watson will be invited to submit his plea. If he pleads guilty sentencing will follow shortly afterwards; if he pleads not guilty this case will proceed to trial at a later date.

This case relates to a multi-agency raid in Wiltshire in September 2020 when two warrants were executed at locations in the Pewsey and Beckhampton areas. Firearms were seized as part of ongoing enquiries, and the carcasses of a number of birds of prey, including red kites and buzzards, were located at the site in Beckhampton (see here).

Earlier this month a Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: ‘The case has been brought after almost two years of detailed investigation and forensic analysis in conjunction with the CPS, RSPB and other partners. It is potentially the largest English raptor persecution case in terms of the number of alleged victims‘.

For context, and to provide an indication of how many raptor deaths may be involved, prior to this case the largest one in England was at the Stody Estate in Norfolk in 2014 (here) when gamekeeper Allen Lambert was found guilty of poisoning 11 birds of prey – 10 buzzards and one sparrowhawk.

PLEASE NOTE: As Archie Watson has been charged and court proceedings are live, I won’t be accepting blog comments on this case until criminal proceedings have concluded. Thanks for your understanding.

For previous blogs on this case please see here, here and here.

Wiltshire gamekeeper facing multiple charges of raptor persecution is named

Further to last week’s blog about a Wiltshire gamekeeper facing multiple raptor persecution and firearms offences (see here), this individual has now been named.

According to the Swindon Advertiser (here), the gamekeeper is 21-year-old Archie Watson of Dragon Lane in Manningford Bruce near Pewsey, Wiltshire.

Watson is due in court on 25th May to face six charges under the Wildlife & Countryside Act and three firearms offences.

This case relates to a multi-agency raid in Wiltshire in September 2020 when two warrants were executed at locations in the Pewsey and Beckhampton areas. Firearms were seized as part of ongoing enquiries, and the carcasses of a number of birds of prey, including red kites and buzzards, were located at the location in Beckhampton (see here).

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: ‘The case has been brought after almost two years of detailed investigation and forensic analysis in conjunction with the CPS, RSPB and other partners. It is potentially the largest English raptor persecution case in terms of the number of alleged victims‘.

For context, and to provide an indication of how many raptor deaths may be involved, prior to this case the largest one in England was at the Stody Estate in Norfolk in 2014 (here) when gamekeeper Allen Lambert was found guilty of poisoning 11 birds of prey – 10 buzzards and one sparrowhawk.

PLEASE NOTE: As Archie Watson has now been charged, I won’t be accepting blog comments on this case until criminal proceedings have concluded. Thanks for your understanding.

UPDATE 20th May 2022: Court case delayed against Wiltshire gamekeeper Archie Watson (here)

Wiltshire gamekeeper due in court to face multiple raptor persecution charges

An unnamed 21-year-old Wiltshire gamekeeper will appear at Swindon Magistrates Court on 25th May 2022 to face multiple raptor persecution charges (x 6 under the Wildlife & Countryside Act) and three firearms offences.

This case relates to a multi-agency raid in Wiltshire in September 2020 when two warrants were executed at locations in the Pewsey and Beckhampton areas. Firearms were seized as part of ongoing enquiries, and the carcasses of a number of birds of prey, including red kites and buzzards, were located at the location in Beckhampton (see here).

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: ‘The case has been brought after almost two years of detailed investigation and forensic analysis in conjunction with the CPS, RSPB and other partners. It is potentially the largest English raptor persecution case in terms of the number of alleged victims‘.

For context, and to provide an indication of how many raptor deaths may be involved, prior to this case the largest one in England was at the Stody Estate in Norfolk in 2014 (here) when gamekeeper Allen Lambert was found guilty of poisoning 11 birds of prey – 10 buzzards and one sparrowhawk.

Well done to Wiltshire Police’s Rural Crime Team and all the other agencies involved in this investigation.

PLEASE NOTE: As this individual has now been charged, I won’t be accepting blog comments on this case until criminal proceedings have concluded. Thanks for your understanding.

UPDATE 12th May 2022: Wiltshire gamekeeper facing multiple charges of raptor persecution is named (here)

UPDATE 20th May 2022: Court case delayed against Wiltshire gamekeeper Archie Watson (here)

Another dead buzzard in Dorset – Police warn public of suspected poisoned baits

Yet another dead buzzard has been found in North Dorset.

Whilst the cause of death has yet to be ascertained (presumably the carcass has been sent for post mortem), yesterday PC Rob Hammond warned the public to keep their dogs on leads to avoid the risk of them coming into contact with potential poisoned baits.

Well done to PC Hammond for putting out this timely warning. Even though poisoning has not yet been confirmed, the potential risk to the public and their dogs is high so he’s done exactly the right thing.

Dorset is fast becoming quite the hotspot for raptor persecution. I’ve been looking through some reports from the last few years and have found the following incidents of raptor persecution recorded in the county:

May 2018: Buzzard found shot dead (here).

May 2018: Suspicious deaths of two barn owls and several more buzzards (here).

March 2020: Disturbance of nesting peregrines (here).

April 2020: Several buzzards were found dead within close proximity to each other in the Ashmore Wood area near Blandford. These birds were sent for testing and enquiries remain ongoing (here).

August 2020: Two buzzards, one dead, were found near the body of a rabbit. An owl and a further two buzzards were also found. Analysis has confirmed Brodifacoum in the buzzard which is likely to have caused the death. The second buzzard and the owl had background residues and the analysis on the rabbit was negative.

September 2020: A dead buzzard was found on a bridleway, it had been shot.

November 2020: A dead red kite and rat were found near a footpath. Analysis has confirmed Bendiocarb in the stomach contents of the red kite and in pots removed from a vehicle and a sachet in a shed, which is likely to be the cause of death. No residues were found in the rat.

February 2021: A buzzard and a red kite were found in a wooded area. Analysis has confirmed Brodifacoum in the liver of the red kite which will have contributed to its death, the levels of Brodifacoum in the buzzard are borderline and uncertain if the exposure contributed to its death. 

March 2021: A multi-agency raid was carried out on a shooting estate in North Dorset. A number of dead birds of prey and several pesticides, including banned substances, were located at the premises. A firearm was also recovered (here).

January 2022: A dead white-tailed eagle was found poisoned on a shooting estate in North Dorset. The post mortem found its liver contained 7 x lethal dose of rodenticide Brodifacoum. Inexplicably, Dorset Police closed the investigation before conducting a search (here).

February 2022: Another white-tailed eagle was suspected to have been poisoned on another shooting estate in North Dorset. This one survived (here).

February 2022: A dead buzzard and a dead red kite are found dead on a shooting estate in North Dorset, suspected poisoned. Toxicology results awaited (here).

April 2022: A dead buzzard found dead in the Ashmore area. Toxicology results awaited.

It’s pretty clear that Dorset has a raptor persecution issue and I understand there are several more investigations that have yet to be reported in the public domain. Given these incidents, and more, it’s astonishing that the local MP, Chris Loder, thinks the police shouldn’t ‘waste resources’ on investigating wildlife crimes.

It’s even more astounding that Dorset Police shut down the poisoned eagle investigation, without conducting a search, and continue to refuse any explanation for their decision and yet still the top brass claim to be taking raptor persecution ‘seriously’, not that anyone believes them anymore.

It’s heartening then to see on-the-ground officers like PC Rob Hammond, trying to do the right thing. I wonder how long it’ll be before he’s told to drop the case and/or stop investigating wildlife crime, as has his colleague, PC Claire Dinsdale?

Buzzard & red kite suspected poisoned on North Dorset estate

Well this saga gets more interesting by the day.

I’ve written about the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead on an as-yet undisclosed shooting estate in North Dorset and Dorset Police’s decision to close the investigation prematurely (see here, here, here, here and here).

I’ve also written about the suspected poisoning of another white-tailed eagle on another as-yet undisclosed shooting estate in North Dorset and a subsequent multi-agency raid in which items of interest have been submitted for toxicology assessment (see here).

Now there’s this – the suspected poisoning of a buzzard and a red kite on an as-yet undisclosed shooting estate in North Dorset, as revealed on Twitter this afternoon by Ian Denton:

More to follow……

Badger killer and red kite chick thief avoids prison

This is such a weird case and there’s a lot about its progress through the judicial system that I don’t understand and haven’t found anyone yet who can provide a decent explanation.

Way back in December 2020 I blogged about the trial at Newport Magistrates Court of a 39-year-old man, Dewi James Price, who had been found guilty in his absence of killing a badger in the Builth Wells area of Powys on February 18, 2018. He was also convicted of taking a red kite in Gelligaer, Caerphilly, on May 19, 2019, and was found guilty of intentionally or recklessly disturbing a red kite while it was in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young and of intentionally or recklessly disturbing the dependent young of a red kite. He had filmed himself committing these crimes and boasted about his activities online. He was due to be sentenced the following week at Newport crown Court (see here).

However, it was then reported that sentencing had been switched to Cardiff Crown Court but sentencing had been deferred until 8th January 2021 because the defendant’s barrister had told the judge her client wanted to appeal his conviction (see here).

This made no sense to me. I thought appeals were undertaken after sentencing, not before.

Anyway, after that newspaper report nothing more was heard of this case. I’ve asked a few people about it during 2021 but nobody seemed to know anything about it.

Until a few days ago.

On the 9th February 2022, the Wales Online website published the news that Dewi Price had appeared at Swansea crown Court for sentencing.

He was sentenced to a total of six months in prison – comprising five months for the badger offence and one month for the Red Kite offences to run consecutively – suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete a rehabilitation course and pay a £125 contribution to the £9,946 costs of bringing the prosecution. The court ordered two dogs be taken off Price, and the defendant was banned from keeping dogs for two years – the judge said the period of the ban would likely have been “much longer” had the case come to court sooner.

The judge also said she was “quite sure” it would have been immediate custody had the case come to court sooner.

Eh? I don’t understand why he wasn’t sentenced back in Dec 2020 after being convicted, nor why it has taken 14 months to get him back into court for sentencing, nor why this delay would lessen his sentence.

If there are any blog readers from law enforcement who could offer an explanation it’d be welcome!

UPDATE 14.20hrs: There’s another news item about this case published by the South Wales Argus on 10th February 2022. This article claims Price was found guilty at a trial at Cardiff Crown Court on 4th February 2022. I’m not sure this is accurate reporting.

Shot red kite successfully rehabilitated and released in Essex

Last month I blogged about a red kite that had been found injured with shotgun injuries in Galleywood Lane, Chelmsford, Essex (see here and here).

The kite was picked up by concerned members of the public and taken to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital for treatment.

[Photo of the kite by South Essex Wildlife Hospital]

After four weeks of expert care and rehabilitation, this red kite was released back to the wild last week. Well done to all the team at South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

Essex Police are still investigating the circumstances of this illegal shooting and if anyone has any information please contact Wildlife Crime Officer PC Jed Raven on Tel 101 and quote reference number 42/265786/21.

Please note, this police investigation is one of two separate incidents concerning dead red kites. The other one relates to the discovery of a dead red kite that had been found in suspicious circumstances in the Uttlesford area of Essex earlier in November (here).

Update on shot red kite in Essex

On Wednesday I blogged about a police investigation into a shot red kite that had been found in Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex (see here).

The details were a bit sketchy but Essex Police Wildlife Crime Officer Jed Raven had said he believed the kite had suffered wing injuries after someone had fired a shotgun at this protected species.

A further update now reveals that the kite was shot, it flew a short distance, landed in a tree, and then fell from the tree in front of witnesses who took the injured bird to a wildlife hospital.

The kite is currently undergoing treatment.

[Ed: NB. An earlier version of this article said the red kite had died as a result of its injuries. This was incorrect]

If you have any information about this crime, which was committed on 14th November 2021, please contact Essex Police on Tel 101 and quote crime reference number: 42/265786/21

Please note, this police investigation is one of two separate incidents concerning dead red kites. The other one relates to the discovery of a dead red kite that had been found in suspicious circumstances in the Uttlesford area of Essex earlier this month (here).

UPDATE 14th December 2021: Shot red kite successfully rehabilitated and released in Essex (here)

JOB VACANCY: Red Kite Field Officer, Northern Ireland

RSPB job advert

Red Kite Field Officer (Fixed Term)

Reference:NOV20218665
Expiry date:23:59, 12 December 2021
Location:RSPB Northern Ireland
Salary:£18,100.00 – £20,080.00 Per Annum
Benefits:Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days Annual Leave (pro-rata)
Duration:6 months

Are you passionate about species conservation? Interested in gaining valuable research and monitoring experience, while working with one of the UKs most recognisable raptors? RSPBNI is looking for an enthusiastic individual with experience in monitoring birds of prey for a six-month post in County Down, Northern Ireland.

The role

Red Kites were reintroduced to Northern Ireland in 2008 and since then the local population has been monitored by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Your role will be to collect data on wintering and breeding Red Kites at their strongholds in the Dromara Hills and surrounding areas. This will include winter roost surveys, nest finding and monitoring to assess productivity, associated data entry, and supporting and coordinating a team of volunteers. The post holder will need to have previous experience in finding and monitoring raptor nests.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside a passionate team in one the most spectacular places in Northern Ireland. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to work unsociable hours, including the occasional weekend, depending on the weather.

Key activities will include:

  • Winter Red Kite roost watch surveys.
  • Nest location and monitoring of Red Kites.
  • Developing and upkeeping relationships with stakeholders and landowners.
  • Delivering appropriate species protection for priority species in identified geographical/priority areas.
  • Manage all relevant data to ensure it is stored and analysed appropriately to allow review of work programmes and future planning.
  • Build appropriate positive relationships with key external partners and stakeholders so that RSPB’s monitoring of species and habitats, policies and messages are understood within relevant partnerships and fora.
  • Contribute to the delivery of RSPB’s conservation programme away from reserves focussing on monitoring and species protection to help deliver Saving Nature Outcomes.
  • Supporting and coordinating a team of volunteers – including on tasks such as data management, monitoring, and wing-tagging.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

  • Higher level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience e.g., field season conducting raptor surveys.
  • Knowledge of bird and wildlife ecology, habitat requirements and identification to enable credibility in the role.
  • Organisational skills e.g., maintenance and analysis of datasets, and managing conflicting priorities.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team player both internally and externally.
  • Effective communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) – including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to be diplomatic.
  • Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats.
  • Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities.
  • Experience of working with land managers e.g., farmers, woodland owners
  • Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines.
  • Knowledge of the wildlife and habitats of the operational area of this role
  • Experience of public engagement work e.g., attendance at county shows and events.
  • Experience of productive Partnership working.
  • Specialist conservation knowledge in relevant habitat /species areas.

This is a Contract, Full Time role for 6 months. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 21st December 2021. For further information please contact Neal.Warnock@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

ENDS

Another red kite shot in Essex

Less than two weeks ago Essex Police announced they were working with the RSPB to investigate the suspicious death of a red kite found in the Uttlesford district (see here).

This morning, Police Wildlife Crime Officer Jed Raven has informed me of another incident, this time the shooting of a red kite.

The details are limited but here is what has been provided so far:

Crime reference number: 42/265786/21

14 November 2021, 2pm.

Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex

Suspect(s) unknown have shot a red kite using what is believed to be a shot gun. The red kite was shot through its wing.

It’s not clear whether the shooting was witnessed and took place at this location at the stated time, or whether this time and location is where the injured kite was discovered.

I understand the kite is currently at a wildlife hospital but I don’t know whether it survived its injuries.

Hopefully more information will emerge as the investigation progresses.

Many thanks to PC Jed Raven for getting the news out. If anyone has any information about this latest crime please contact Essex Police on Tel: 101 and quote crime reference 42/265786/21.

UPDATE 21st November 2021: Update on shot red kite in Essex (here)

UPDATE 14th December 2021: Shot red kite successfully rehabilitated and released in Essex (here)