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1 Bird of Prey Persecution In the past few years we have witnessed some high profile and disturbing instances of bird of prey persecution in Scotland. In fact, since the beginning of 2010, 11 red kites, 6 golden eagles and one white-tailed eagle have been confirmed as being the victims of illegal poisoning. Two red kites, a goshawk, a peregrine and a golden eagle have died as a result of being illegally trapped; an osprey, a hen harrier, a short-eared owl and a golden eagle have been shot. Buzzards, sparrowhawks and owls have starved to death in crow traps; hen harrier and peregrine nests have mysteriously failed; golden eagles, hen harriers and red kites fitted with satellite tags have simply “disappeared”. The vast majority of these incidents continue to occur in areas associated with intensively-managed driven grouse moors. Due to the nature of these crimes we cannot say whether these figures represent 5% or 95% of the incidents actually taking place. What we can say, however, is that population surveys, scientific studies and analyses consistently show that illegal persecution is having a marked negative effect on the populations of some of our rarest and most iconic birds of prey, notably golden eagle, red kite and hen harrier. Indeed, the breeding population of the latter species dropped by over 20% in Scotland between 2004 and 2010. Much has been made by a recent drop in the number of birds of prey poisoned. While it is important to reiterate the caveat that these figures only represent confirmed, detected incidents, any decline has to be welcomed. This decline, which we must all hope is real and is sustained over the long term, has come primarily as a RSPBSCOTLAND HOLYROOD NEWSLETTER March 2013
Transcript of RSPBSCOTLAND HOLYROOD NEWSLETTER ch...
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Bird of Prey PersecutionIn the past few years we have witnessed some high profile and disturbing instances of bird of prey persecution in Scotland.
In fact, since the beginning of 2010, 11 red kites, 6 golden eagles and one white-tailed eagle have been confirmed as being the victims of illegal poisoning. Two red kites, a goshawk, a peregrine and a golden eagle have died as a result of being illegally trapped; an osprey, a hen harrier, a short-eared owl and a golden eagle have been shot. Buzzards, sparrowhawks and owls have starved to death in crow traps; hen harrier and peregrine nests have
mysteriously failed; golden eagles, hen harriers and red kites fitted with satellite tags have simply “disappeared”.
The vast majority of these incidents continue to occur in areas associated with intensively-managed driven grouse moors.
Due to the nature of these crimes we cannot say whether these figures represent 5% or 95% of the incidents actually taking place.
What we can say, however, is that population surveys, scientific studies and analyses consistently show that illegal persecution is having a marked negative effect on the populations of
some of our rarest and most iconic birds of prey, notably golden eagle, red kite and hen harrier.
Indeed, the breeding population of the latter species dropped by over 20% in Scotland between 2004 and 2010.
Much has been made by a recent drop in the number of birds of prey poisoned. While it is important to reiterate the caveat that these figures only represent confirmed, detected incidents, any decline has to be welcomed.
This decline, which we must all hope is real and is sustained over the long term, has come primarily as a
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result of the enactment of legislation by the Scottish Parliament. This includes the Wildlife & Natural Environment Act (2011) which makes landowners vicariously liable for the actions of their employees.
The fitting of satellite-tags to eagles and kites has made it easier to detect those areas where this indiscriminate activity is carried out.
The enforcement agencies have caught some of the perpetrators and removed some of the illegal chemicals from circulation.
And, negative publicity has led to peer-pressure from within an industry whose reputation was being dragged through the gutter by a minority.
The placing of baits laced with poison in the open countryside has been illegal for a century. It is a shame that it has taken so long for a change to become apparent.
While the number of people engaged in poisoning may be dropping, sadly, there is no evidence that overall bird of prey persecution is in decline. Indeed there is plenty to suggest that there has merely been a change in tactics by those who wish to kill these species.
In 2012, we had three golden eagles, arguably Scotland’s national bird, as well-publicised victims of crime.
A bird was found poisoned in Lochaber in March; another bird died as a result of being illegally trapped in May; and an adult bird was found shot in Dumfries-shire in October.
While poisoning may be on the decline, there is no room for complacency when our protected birds of prey continue to be shot, trapped or have their nests destroyed.
The placing of baits laced with poison in the open countryside has been illegal for a century.RS
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RSPB Scotland's Nature of Scotland Awards are designed to recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in Scottish nature conservation. One of the highest profile award categories is Politician of the Year Award.
We are calling for all party researchers, MSPs, party staff and campaigners to consider nominating the politician they feel has contributed the most to sustainability and environmental issues in the past year.
More information is available at www.rspb.org.uk/natureofscotland. The deadline is soon - nominations should be submitted by 15th March.
A reception to celebrate the shortlisted entries will be held in the Garden Lobby on Tuesday 18 June, and the Awards ceremony will take place at a black tie dinner at a Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh, in October.
Nominees Required for Nature of Scotland Awards
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When Paul Wheelhouse announced the second report of proposals and policies (RPP2) it was encouraging to hear the seriousness of discussion and the acknowledgement that cross-party and cross-portfolio responsibility is required. Issues of this magnitude of scale and importance can only be overcome with a unified, collective approach.
The missed 2010 target should be the catalyst for decisive policy to make sure that there is no repetition of this failure.
However, RPP2 fails to show any new clear directions the government intends to travel in to make sizeable steps towards meeting its next targets. A definitive plan is required which can be easily monitored and assessed.
A comparison of some elements of the report show that ambition has actually decreased between RPP1 and RPP2.
There is still someway to go to make sure this document is the guide by which Scotland can achieve it emissions targets in the coming years. It is hoped that after the consultation results are considered, significant changes can be made.
There are positives to come out of RPP2 but, in some cases, they are just a reworking of existing commitments.
There must be improvements in the Rural Land Use policies and proposals and further mention of the potential of the marine environment to act as a carbon sink.
Second Report on Policies & ProposalsScotland needs stronger action on climate change
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Kelp and seagrass beds in Scottish waters can act as important carbon sinks – protection from disturbance is required, however.
The opportunity to recreate saltmarsh habitats through a process of managed coastal realignment should also be explored. Suitable locations along our coasts and firths should be identified and prioritised for managed realignment. Efforts thus far have been down to conservation groups.
On land, peatland restoration and management work has been under way for many years and is vital to make sure that
these amazing and wild carbon sinks stay healthy.
Historic land use policies led to forestation of peatlands and the subsequent release of carbon into the atmosphere. The continued work of organisations like RSPB Scotland in places such as the Flows has shown great improvements to the health of Scotland’s peatlands.
The added funds available for peatland restoration are welcome addition to the budget.RS
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With the passage of the Marine (Scotland) Act in 2010, RSPB Scotland looked forward to world class protection of Scotland’s marine life. We believed that after many years of campaigning, and many more of poor management and overexploitation of Scotland’s precious marine resources, Scotland’s seas would get the protection they desperately needed.
There can be no argument that the Scottish
Government’s plans for Marine Protected Areas are a step in the right direction, but the view from RSPB Scotland, and its 90,000 supporters, is that the process has culminated in a titanic missed opportunity.
The announcement in December of the list of proposed MPA sites was desperately disappointing. The most glaring omission is protection for Scotland’s globally important
seabirds. Despite the promises of Scotland’s g r o u n d - b r e a k i n g legislation, seabirds such as puffins and even kittiwakes - hugely declining in their northern strongholds - have been left largely unprotected at sea.
The Scottish Government is obliged, under EU regulation, to protect ecologically important areas of the sea, just in the same way it must protect
Marine Protected Areas there’s a bit missing
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Despite there being Special Protection Areas on land for seabirds, there is not one significant marine foraging ‘hotspot’ site protected under the EU Birds or Habitats Directive for seabirds.
There is still work to be done to ensure that MPAs protect the best of Scotland’s marine wildlife.
An SNH report, published in October last year, found that some seabirds species in Scotland have declined by 50 per cent in the last 20 years. This is due to a decline in prey species such as sandeels, thought to be caused by warming waters. Of course, MPAs can’t right all wrongs in the marine environment, but they can help shore up seabirds’ resilience to climate change by ensuring that human activities - fishing, aquaculture, renewables and other human developments at sea - aren’t exacerbating the situation for species under threat. Globally, seabirds are the group of birds most declining and at risk. Scotland now has the legislative tools to help stem this decline - why aren’t we using them?
The decline in Scotland’s seabird populations is not simply a ecological disaster - it’s an economic one too. Tourism brings much needed revenue to some of our most remote communities and in fact some of the greatest supporters of MPAs are from Scotland’s tourism businesses.
We have been overwhelmed with the public support for our campaign to gain better protection for Scotland’s seabirds, and we are greatly encouraged and inspired by the level of support from members of all parties in the Scottish Parliament. We look forward to the MPA consultation this summer where we will reiterate our sentiments on making sure that Marine Protected Areas protect the best of Scotland’s marine wildlife, and of course that must include seabirds too.
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Scotland is home to some of the best wildlife in the world. RSPB Scotland is fortunate enough to have a high proportion of that wildlife on our reserves.
We would like to extend our warmest invitation to all MSPs to visit an RSPB reserve in your constituency or region over the coming months. The invitation is open to all MSPs, colleagues, family and friends.
We would like to take the opportunity to show off the ways in which a nature reserve can
contribute to the local community, economy and the varied and innovative ways we can improve habitats and wildlife. You may also have the opportunity to meet the many heroes and heroines of the RSPB who are involved in educating and inspiring children about nature and the environment.
It would be great to see as many of you as possible out and about on our reserves this year. Please contact [email protected] to arrange your visit.
Visit Us
For more information about the work of RSPB Scotland please get in touch.
Lloyd Austin - Head of Conservation Policy ([email protected])Julia Harrison - Parliamentary Officer ([email protected])Allan Whyte - Parliamentary Assistant ([email protected])
Tel: 0131 317 4100
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654
RSPB Scotland is one of the participating members in Scottish Environment LINK’s Species Champions programme. We are leading, or jointly leading, on several species. So far, the golden eagle is being championed by Rhoda Grant, the house sparrow by Christine Grahame, the capercaillie and corn bunting by Dennis Robertson, the red kite by Bill Kidd, and the puffin by Claire Baker. The RSPB doesn’t just do conservation work on birds though - so
Dave Thompson has championed the sandeel, Rob Gibson has rusty bog-moss (a peatland sphagnum species), David Stewart has the great yellow bumblebee and Elaine Murray has the natterjack toad. Still up for grabs are the manx shearwater, aspen hoverfly, dark bordered beauty, pine hoverfly, curlew, corncrake and the kittiwake. Please get in touch with [email protected] for more details.
Become a Species Champion
