4 Golden eagles amongst raptors poisoned in Scotland in 2010

Birds of prey incidents reported in Scotland in 201

Eagles poisoned in Scotland 

March 2011. Scotland's birds of prey continue to be poisoned illegally, according to the latest poisoning hotspot maps published.

Figures from the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) show that 28 birds were poisoned between January and December 2010. This is one more than in the previous year and means that 132 birds of prey have been deliberately killed in the last five years.

Poisoning map
The maps, published by the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAW Scotland), show where confirmed poisonings have taken place and the Scottish Government, RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and Businesses Association have all been involved in their publication on behalf of the PAW Scotland Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "It's disappointing to see that there has been no improvement in the number of birds of prey being deliberately and illegally poisoned in Scotland in the last twelve months. The fact that 132 of these iconic species have been targeted in the last five years is unacceptable. It's especially sad that some of the victims, such as sea eagles, are part of reintroduction programmes and there really has to be a change in attitude amongst those who are persistently involved in killing raptors.

Birds of prey incidents reported in Scotland in 2006-2010 shows the distribution of incidents of confirmed poisonings determined by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) from January 2006 to December 2010. The maps show only incidents involving birds of prey. Other animal or bird species are not included. The size of 'spots' on the map indicates the number of incidents in that area. The larger the spot the greater the number of confirmed incidents. Exact locations of incidents are not shown, in recognition of the fact that birds may travel some distance after exposure to the poison. The map therefore applies an obscurity factor to avoid any inference being drawn for the exact point of discovery of the bird, but still allows and overview of the worst affected areas. The incidents refer only to confirmed poisoning cases categorised by SASA as 'Deliberate Abuse' and not any other category of confirmed poisonings. The number of incidents does not indicate the number of birds killed.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management for RSPB Scotland said: "It is very disappointing to see that illegal poisoning continues at unacceptably high levels in our countryside, affecting the populations of golden eagles, red kites and other vulnerable bird of prey species. 7 red kites, 4 golden eagles and a sea eagle were confirmed by Scottish Government testing to have been illegally poisoned in 2010, and we know that many other victims will have gone undetected in remote parts of our countryside.

"We welcome universal condemnation of such indiscriminate and illegal practice, and call on all responsible land managers to provide information to the police on those responsible for these crimes."

Doug McAdam, Chief Executive of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association said: "We have seen good progress in areas where there is good healthy partnership working such as Grampian where in 2010 there were no cases of illegal poisoning reflecting the fact that in Grampian the local PAW group works well with full participation by local estates and landowners and healthy relationships have been developed through Raptor Watch.

"While it is disappointing that 2010 did not reflect earlier reductions in the number of illegally poisoned birds of prey and a fairly static position nationally, the current situation demonstrates that collaboration and partnership are the way forward, not conflict and polarised views "

Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in Scotland
PAW Scotland is the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in Scotland. PAW Scotland membership encompasses a wide range of bodies with an interest in tackling wildlife crime including conservation, land management, shooting and law enforcement organisations.

Led by the Scottish Government, RSPB Scotland and the SRPBA, the map was compiled using data held by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA). The final results display the number and frequency of confirmed bird of prey poisoning incidents categorised by SASA as 'Deliberate Abuse' over the past five years. It was compiled with the support of the PAW Scotland Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group

SASA is an Edinburgh-based scientific division of the Scottish Government's Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate. SASA Chemistry Branch provides a variety of analytical chemistry services and expert advice in support of the Scottish Government's participation in UK and EU annual surveillance programs that monitor the impact of pesticide use on food & drink, animals and honeybees. The unit also provides essential support to law enforcement agencies and non-government organisations investigating suspected (illegal) animal poisoning activities.