Though it is the first red kite to have been found poisoned in Strathtay, over the past 15 years police have recovered 14 buzzards, two tawny owls, two sparrowhawks, two crows, a common gull, a polecat and a domestic cat from the same area, all of which had been poisoned. In addition a total of 12 poisoned baits have been recovered all from the same un-named estate.

Alan Stewart, Tayside Police Wildlife Crime Officer, said: “There is no doubt that the scourge of poisoning wildlife in Scotland has decreased in general terms in recent years. However there remain a number of ‘hotspots’ that blight our civilisation and our reputation worldwide.”

Alan Stewart’s claims are difficult to understand as they fly in the face of the findings contained in the 2009 RSPB persecution report and the SASA report which was only published on 3^rd August which clearly show poisoning incidents in Scotland are increasing and NOT the other way around as Alan Stewart claims? So the question must be asked, what planet is Alan Stewart on! The 2010 figures may even reach a new high according to the RSPB.

Raptor Persecution Scotland makes the following observation regarding Alan Stewart and his attitude towards raptors and their persecution in Scotland. “It’s an interesting perspective from someone closely involved with the PAW Scotland group and who really should know better. Has he not read the latest figures that were only published in August this year that demonstrate an increase in illegal wildlife poisoning events? It sounds to me like Alan has been spending far too much time in the company of his gamekeeper mates.(these words of concern sound familiar to Lancashire’s own WLCO’s and his association with  gamekeepers)Raptor Peresution Scotland go on to comment “The only thing that has decreased in recent years is probably Tayside Police’s track record of successful prosecutions for raptor persecution incidents.”

When the 2009 SASA report was launched, Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs in Scotland said “the figures suggest that birds of prey continue to be the victims of deliberate poisoning and we will continue to work with PAW Scotland in our efforts to put a stop to these illegal actions.” There are more than just a few “hotspots’ and we are experiencing a tremendous amount of rhetoric and little action.

PAW Scotland has published its ‘Poisoning Hotspot Maps’ – it should be remembered that these refer to single incidents even where there are multiple victims or baits. There has also been talk of a poisoning amnesty – there have been poisoning amnesties in the past and to what effect. Poisoning is committed by those who manage the land for shooting and sport – it is nothing new and poisons have been used for so called ‘vermin control’ for 200 years. The organisations involved in land management have probably persuaded the Scottish Government that ‘peer pressure’ will work and eliminate the problem. Meanwhile the problem continues to get worse in Scotland and many experts are convinced what we are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg. It is time for radical change and there is perhaps an opportunity in the current Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill which has been placed before the Scottish Executive, for interested parties to lobby.

Scottish Raptor Study Group’s believe that the WANE bill should incorporate either or both, the principle of vicarious responsibility and the licensing of estates. Unfortunately, the use of poisoned baits is not just confined to the UK but is also widespread in Spain, Greece and Portugal. The European Commission, through the LIFE+ program has just co-funded a 5.6 million Euro project (yes – 5.6 million), which will address the illegal use of poisoned baits in several pilot areas where malpractice is currently affecting endangered species such as Bearded Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle.

Although PC Alan Stewart made no reference to the shooting estate in Scotland where the red kite was recovered dead, it’s identity is now revealed by following the attached link provided by “raptor persecution scotland.”

http://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/is-edradynate-estate-the-place-where-the-red-kite-was-found-poisoned/

The problems being faced in Europe are not from gamekeepers and grouse moor proprietors but from stock managers and hunters. In Andalusia, regional authorities licence all hunters and when poisoned birds are found can remove the licences and ban all shooting in the area. Is the Scottish Government up to such a challenge? Perhaps this is an opportunity to learn something from the rest of Europe, because clearly, and despite all the plaudits around the police thematic inspection report ‘Natural Justice’, the chances of the perpetrators being caught is remote, and as a consequence the whole justice system is treated with ambivalence by ‘serial poisoners’aided and abetted by agents and landowners. Some of these landowners even have the temerity to sign anti-poisoning petitions, anything to attract positive publicity, whilst they quietly turn a blind eye to the actions perpetrated by staff on the ground – peer pressure has certainly not worked at Strathtay – and at other estates in the Highlands where high profile cases are currently ongoing!

Raptor Politics would like to express thanks to the Scottish Raptor Group together with Raptor Persecution Scotland.com for bringing these unacceptable events to our attention.

Let’s face it such a consultation initiate can not do any harm. There is no getting away from the fact that hen harrier currently are having a very bad time throughout England’s uplands. Shooting interests are saying their numbers should be controlled (they seem to be doing that already), whereas the RSPB are saying they should be left alone to breed freely. It remains a sad and disappointing fact hen harriers are conspicuous because of their total absence from 99% of England’s uplands today. Yet scientists are claiming there is sufficient heather moorland in England to support well in excess of 250 breeding pairs.

The core population of just 9 breeding pairs continues to be restricted by human persecution to just one small moorland region in Lancashire’s Forest of Bowland owned by United Utilities. In the 9 years since Natural England’s hen harrier recovery project was launched hen harriers have disappeared completely from Geltsdale in the Northern Pennines. Just as significant harrier numbers in Bowland have so far not managed to acquire a stable foot-hold upon any other of the region’s shooting estates. Despite hundreds of thousands of pounds of funding and a wide debate with the shooting fraternity so far there has been no improvment. It is however reported this year that one pair of hen harriers successfully reared a brood of young in Bowland outside the United Utilities Estates.

The community consultation scheme will be funded by an injection of money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and will be carried out by an independent consultancy team, Glead Ecological & Environmental Services (GEES). However the Countryside Alliance are upset because according to them the project will be undertaken by a commissioned consultant, who until recently was an employee of the RSPB.

So upset are the Countryside Alliance they refuse to take any active part and claim the consultation is supposed to provide a better understanding of people’s attitudes to hen harriers, yet two consultation surveys sent out to interested parties only offer a narrow range of options, meaning a better understanding would be seriously difficult. The process is fundamentally flawed and fails entirely to highlight the problems associated with hen harriers and the threat that they pose to other birds says a CA spokesperson. (We presume when the CA say “pose a threat to other birds”, they mean red grouse).

The Countryside Alliance has informed the RSPB that it will not be co-operating in the consultation in its present design and format, and members are advised to do likewise. Of course we would take part in a genuine and open debate about hen harriers, but we cannot participate in such a loaded a “consultation” that will only further the RSPB’s already well-known views.

Raptor Politics would like to hear what our readers have to say. Are the CA being negative, what do you think?

Your chance to take an active part in the survey.

Make your voice heard at any one of the three “Community Consultation” evening venues below:-

• Slaidburn Village Hall, Nr Clitheroe, Lancashire, Thursday, 9th September, 7pm-9.30pm 
• Bay Horse Inn, West Woodburn, Hexham, Northumberland, Monday 6th September, 7pm -9.30pm
• Brampton Moot Hall, Market Place, Brampton, Nr. Carlisle, Cumbria, Tuesday 7th September, 7pm-9.30pm

 As events are likely to be lively, we suggest you arrive early to make sure of your seat

Apart from leaving your comment on the Raptor Politics web site in the usual way, anyone who would like to send a comment to the dedicated e-mail address can do so by forwarding your views to:-    henharrierconsultation-GEES@yahoo.co.uk

What are your thoughts about Hen Harriers?

We have enclosed some of the details contained in the survey form respondents are asked to return. This has been done just to provide an example of the type of questions that are being asked. The closing date for any replies is 31st August, not too much time left.

• Please circle the four words, from the 16 below, that best sum up your feelings about hen harriers.

              interesting    boring    irrelevant    too rare    useful    bad    magnificent    valuable

              too common    terrible    inspiring    useless    vermin    okay    beautiful    ugly  

•  If you have seen a hen harrier in northern England, how did it make you feel?

              Bad    Less Good    Indifferent    Good    Great

•  Do you think having more hen harriers in upland locations in northern England would be?                                                               

             Great    Good    Okay    Not Good    Bad

The 2010 season has been one of the most unusual, not least because Natural England found itself in the invidious position of having to respond to complaints made to its licensing office about the activities of the Lancashire Police Wildlife Crime Officer (WLCO) Pc Duncan Thomas, on whom they are reliant for assistance in the delivery of enforcement in respect of the criminal breaches of wildlife legislation in Lancashire.

The inappropriate behaviour complained of by the local raptor group was non-compliance by the WLCO in relation to his disturbance licence conditions, which is a breach of the wildlife legislation that he is expected to enforce, hence the difficulty.

Natural England responded to the complaint by writing to the officer concerned reminding him of the necessity to adhere to the conditions of his police disturbance licence. It is believed that this is the first time that Natural England has had to issue such a reminder to a serving WLCO and hopefully it will be the last.

The disturbance licence issued to all Wildlife Crime Officers can only be used for the purpose of visiting Schedule 1 nests to prevent and detect criminal offences only. Without explanation this officer had initiated visits to nest sites for what could only be described as monitoring purposes, which is operating outside the licence conditions.

As part of the process of trying to resolve concerns raised by the complainant, methodology changes were put in place by NE as a possible way forward in resolving these issues. NE decided to place 4 peregrine nests under the supervision of Lancashire’s WLCO for the duration of the breeding season. This was undertaken in the form of a field protocol.

Natural England Field Protocol

Whilst understanding the difficult situation in which Natural England found itself, this response skirted around the continued use of unlicensed agents, but despite reservations the local raptor group supported the initiative.  The protocol that was adopted placed four peregrine nest sites designated as “red” sites – each with a history of persecution – under the supervision and protection of the Lancashire WLCO. It was the perception of the local raptor group that no account of the officer’s inexperience with raptors or their breeding behaviour had been taken into consideration before implementing such a strategy without expert guidance.

The four nest sites selected were each placed off limits to all licensed raptor and RSPB field workers for the duration of the breeding season. This begs the question as to why such valuable resources were not utilised to ensure the success of the project. The purpose of the exercise was to protect the nest sites from illegal human activity and inappropriate disturbance, thus ensuring that any chicks produced fledged successfully.

Natural England had accepted as part of initiating the protocol they would utilise the significant knowledge and expertise of the local raptor group in identifying the four ‘red’ peregrine sites most in need of protection. Again, without explanation, three of the identified sites were rejected by the WLCO, who then elected to substitute three of his own choice.

Natural England invested time and effort in trying to take forward, with the police, an innovative though flawed, through no fault of theirs, approach. It was hoped that it would against – the odds produce – positive results in the form of four successful nest sites. The result was sadly different.

So what happened at the four ‘red’ sites?

• The first two sites were abandoned after being visited by a civilian police volunteer during the sensitive courtship and nest adoption phase before any eggs had been laid.
• The third site selected by police was found abandoned in May 2009 and remained vacant this season, so this was a pointless exercise
• The fourth site had little history of persecution, so the expectation was that in the normal course of events it would have succeeded with or without protection.

During the breeding cycle disturbing peregrines at this critical time, prior to egg laying, in most cases results in the territory being abandoned.

The pair of peregrines at the first ‘red’ site established on the United Utilities Estate abandoned their nest site and laid a clutch of 4eggs at a second site. Information supplied to raptor workers suggest that this clutch disappeared.

The pair of falcons from the second abandoned territory, originally located on he Bleasdale Estate, relocated across the estate boundary to another nest site where the pair successfully reared four young.

When the third ‘red’ site was visited by raptor workers in 2009 the nest was found abandoned containing an incomplete clutch of two eggs. Both adult falcons had disappeared, which in the experience of raptor workers only happens when there has been deadly human interference.

During the last ten years records have shown the fourth ‘red’ site to have been very productive producing large broods. The only known incident was the reporting in 2007 by the WLCO when a clutch of four eggs disappeared from the nest.

Peregrine Success – a Bumper Year on Private Estates

Peregrine records maintained throughout Bowland over the last 36 years show the 2010 season to have been the most productive since records began in 1974. It is a success story for which the estates in question should be congratulated. The only disappointments were the two pairs that relocated probably as a consequence of the disturbance that has been described above, together with the losses from the three peregrine sites on the United Utilities Estate. It is to be hoped that the seasons fledged birds continue to prosper.

Specific Nests: Consistent Low Breeding Productivity.

The United Utilities Estate is an important breeding area for the peregrine falcon and other important raptor species and the company should be applauded for their continued support of birds of prey over the years on the estates they manage. However, it is of considerable concern that on the examination of records maintained since 2000 there is a strong indication that peregrines are being adversely affected by the consistent disappearance of both eggs and young from nests on the United Utilities Estate resulting in low annual productivity. Analysis of this unnatural phenomenon shows that affected nest sites are being reduced to producing an average of just one chick each season. A cynical observer might conclude that this may be as a result of manipulation by shooting interests to reduce numbers of predated red grouse brought in to the nest by the parents to feed their dependant young. Reducing brood sizes to a single rather than multiple chicks in a nest would certainly be more acceptable to game shooting interests. This is an issue affecting the United Utilities Estate that is of concern to all and the local raptor group offers its assistance to United Utilities to try and establish exactly what is happening, in order that appropriate action can be taken.

Specific Peregrine Nesting Sites Consistently Targeted

This year two peregrine territories located on the United Utilities Estate – where clutches of eggs disappeared in 2009 – lost clutches of 4 eggs. During the last 10 years after an area of moorland was leased to a shooting syndicate, a third peregrine territory has only been productive in four years of the last ten; and then unusually only a single chick being produced in each of the productive years. This year after two eggs had been found chilled out of the nest scrape at the rear of the nesting ledge two chicks then disappeared. A series of occurrences worthy of further scrutiny?

Raptor Populations Adversely Influenced by Persecution and Vested Interests

Those that subscribe to the Raptor Politics website, the RSPB publications, Legal Eagle and Bird Crime can be in no doubt the interests and influence of certain elements connected with commercial grouse shooting on our upland moors continue to pose a significant threat. to the distribution of birds of prey within the uplands.

The existing wildlife legislation provides a sound foundation on which to build for the future but it does need to be improved to meet the conservation challenges that affect our wildlife in the twenty first century. It is no longer acceptable that outdated Victorian attitudes and illegal practices that threaten the survival of our birds of prey in our uplands are allowed to continue. Limited police and Natural England resources and a lack of political will to tackle this issue head on means there is limited effective enforcement in place. This is why a review in England of the way wildlife crime is being tackled is required to increase the effectiveness of wildlife crime enforcement and where necessary to recommend improvements to the current legislation. The RSPB together with other conservation bodies has been advocating this for some time.

The licensing of commercial shoots has been mooted as a cost effective means of achieving compliance with the current wildlife legislation across the commercial game bird shooting community. It is a sad fact of life that without some form of compulsion and effective enforcement certain elements of society will ignore the law. It follows that until some form of licensing scheme is put in place for game bird shooting iconic birds of prey will continued to be slaughtered in parts of upland Britain.

Hen Harrier Enclave in the Forest of Bowland

Raptor Politics recognises the exceptionally important part played by United Utilities and its partner agencies in the conservation of threatened species such as the hen harrier throughout their Forest of Bowland Estate. However recent events have demonstrated the importance of the provision of expert advice. Avoiding misunderstanding and inaction when concerns are expressed close dialogue and understanding is an essential part of being able to deal effectively with the conservation threats that face our wildlife, particularly birds of prey which, as we are beginning to realise, are under threat all year round

Bowland Eagle Owl Problem

The failure of the pair of eagle owls in the Dunsop Valley last year was foreseen by experts who provided advice both verbally and in writing for the benefit of United Utilities. It was unfortunate that United Utilities was a passive partner in the exercise which allowed two police volunteers to mark the clutch of eagle owl eggs, which subsequently – as predicted – were abandoned.

Anyone wishing to find out more should follow the two attached links:       

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=394     

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=418

Starving Eagle Owl Chicks

The problem of when man should intervene in nature is one that regularly exercises the minds of conservationists. After one of the adult eagle owls from the second nest this year disappeared, it is suspected through human interference, the remaining bird was unable to cope, and the 3 owlets began to starve due to a lack of provisioning. It is believed a decision was made by the landowner and its partners not to intervene and 2 chicks starved to death. The remaining third chick, although very weakened and unable to feed remained alive. Raptor workers decided after some deliberation to intervene with supplementary feeding that saved the remaining owlet which has now fledged. This suggests that all the owlets could have been saved with timely action. What would you have done?

Gamekeeper Observed Trespassing at Peregrine Site with Shotgun

During the spring, a gamekeeper from a neighbouring estate was observed on the United Utilities Estate by raptor workers holding a loaded shotgun below a cliff side peregrine nest site. After the gamekeeper had become aware his activities were being observed he moved away from the cliff and back over onto his side of the estate boundary where he was eventually located concealed inside a gun butt. When challenged he readily admitted that he had entered on to United Utilities land without permission. After the matter had been reported to United Utilities the company Estate Manager passed the details to the WLCO PC Thomas to investigate what had been reported. The raptor worker witnesses were never interviewed and their statements were not taken. However several days later the police contacted one of the raptor workers to inform him that the gamekeeper did after all have approval from the company to be on their property. This revelation was treated with some scepticism by both raptor workers as it contradicted what they had been told by the gamekeeper. This is an interesting sequence of events that does raise some questions re effective communication and perceptions that are created in the absence of an explanation or dialogue. The fact that a gamekeeper had been observed with a shotgun below a peregrine nest by two credible witnesses during the breeding season was never investigated.

Alleged Shooting of Peregrine Falcon (Harden Shoot)

On 11^th September 2009 an organised grouse shoot took place on part of the United Utilities Estate that is located in the Harden Valley near Dunsop Bridge. Present at the top of the Harden Valley overlooking the moor was a birdwatcher who observed a line of 8 men on the moor with shotguns shooting grouse. After one of the gunmen was observed to point his gun in the direction of a passing peregrine, it is alleged the gun was discharged and a fatally shot peregrine fell to the ground.

The incident was reported to the local police who obtained a witness statement from the birdwatcher which detailed what he had observed. The enquiry was passed to PC Duncan Thomas the Lancashire Wildlife Crime Officer, who it is believed conducted an investigation, which has to our knowledge not resulted in anyone being prosecuted or cautioned for this serious wildlife crime.

Information has come to the notice of Raptor Politics that PC Thomas, who is known to have shooting interests, may have been present and participating in the shoot at the time the incident took place. If this turns out to have been the case we believe PC Thomas should not have undertaken any investigation into this issue.

There is no doubt this raises questions of conflict of interest and the diligence of the investigation that PC Thomas carried out. The matter is now a subject of a formal complaint and is under investigation by Lancashire Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department. It is the latest in a long list of complaints made against this officer by a number of individuals and organisations including the RSPB, League Against Cruel Sports and local raptor workers.

There is also the incident where 3 dead hen harrier chicks were found near to their nest located on the Harden Shoot in July last year. After PC Thomas had been notified about the incident he carried out an investigation into what had happened concluding natural causes was the culprit. It is curious two critical witnesses who had been keeping close watch on the nest activity for many weeks were not interviewed nor were their statements taken before the case was closed. For further details follow the two attached links:

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=740

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=588

The Significance of a New Beginning

This year’s productivity figures counter completely suggestions that disturbance by experienced raptor workers, rather than persecution has been responsible for past peregrine nest failures in Bowland. Now that PC.Thomas, Lancashire’s Wildlife Crime Officer is expected to leave his post during the next few months, perhaps now is the time for all parties to reflect on this season’s success together with the failures and see what can be learned from a review of what has happened. The apparent failure of the protocol managed by the police to protect the ‘red’ sites reflects poorly on their ability to manage on their own a nest monitoring and protection scheme. This is not surprising considering the expertise required can only be learned over many decades. Raptor workers would not be expected to investigate serious crime so how can the police be expected to work with nesting raptors of which they have no practical knowledge or experience. Among the best proponents of raptor nest management and protection are the RSPB, who where possible undertake such projects in partnership with the police, raptor workers and volunteers from the local community and even then, it is not an easy task. This partnership-working model is particularly important at a time when the resources of Natural England and police to protect wildlife are under threat. We are all in this together, hopefully to see a better future for all our wildlife including birds of prey which are under particular threat throughout England’s uplands.

Peregrine Falcon Breeding Summary West Lancashire including Bowland

A total of twenty five peregrine territories feature in this report, of which 15 nesting territories were productive. Three territories were unoccupied, and although several pairs were present at a number of additional territories, breeding was not confirmed. Two nesting sites under police supervision this year were deserted after being inappropriately disturbed before any eggs had been laid at either territory. 3 additional nests on estates owned by United Utilities lost complete clutches of eggs and a number of chicks.

Peregrine Falcon losses East Lancashire

The details below show those eyries where eggs and young have either disappeared or shot. Raptor Politics would like to extend thanks to Mr. Craig Bell for supplying this important information.

Peregrine Falcon West Lancashire including Forest of Bowland

A total number of 68 eggs laid were recorded. A total of 41 eggs hatched. A total number of 37 chicks are presumed to have successfully fledged this year. The figures produced below assume all 37 chicks successfully fledged after being counted.

Eagle Owl Lancashire

A total of three breeding attempts recorded. There were seven eggs laid. One abandoned nest (site 3) containing a single egg was located on the Abbeystead estate. Both adult owls from this site disappeared. After the nest had been found deserted, although a single male owl was heard calling, this bird was not seen.

Eagle Owl Cumbria

One site located on moorland in the North Pennines.
Since the two owlets fledged, none of the chicks or their parents have been seen since 24 June.

Hen Harrier

Precise details of HH breeding attempts and the total number of eggs laid in the Forest of Bowland this year are not available at this time. However the yield of HH nests on the UU Estate have shown dramatic and significant increases compared to last years figures when only five chicks fledged from a total of three successful nests. One additional nest on the Abbeystead Estate where six eggs were laid last year fledged five young.

This season nests in Bowland located on just two of the region’s seven shooting estates increased in productivity by 110 %, fledging twenty three young. This is an increase of a single chick from the previous figures published by Raptor Politics last month. These successes strongly suggest the presence of three breeding pairs of eagle owls in Bowland is having no adverse impact whatsoever on hen harrier numbers and without question undermines any argument for a Government sponsored cull of eagle owls.

We are of the view that as a former inhabitant of the British Isles this iconic European species should be allowed to breed unmolested and any suggestion of a government sponsored cull should be resisted. We are sure that this debate will continue.

What does the future hold?

The UK faces the greatest economic challenge to its economy in decades and it can be seen from the government response to this crisis that funding to combat wildlife crime and bird of prey persecution in particular is going to be difficult to secure.

Unfortunately our environmental and wildlife champion Natural England is one of the high profile victims of government austerity measures which is resulting in a significant proportion of their workforce being made redundant. The drive for more cost effective regulation does however present opportunities for those with the vision to grasp them.

Following the expected removal of PC Thomas, Lancashire Constabulary, to its credit, has not abandoned its commitment to deal with wildlife crime, but have decided to restructure their response to this challenge with the appointment of a civilian wildlife crime co-ordinator to make a more cost effective use of resources. The North West Raptor Group is keen to support these efforts and the new appointee and would like to work in partnership with their new regime to our mutual benefit to combat wildlife crime in the region. The existence of a strong regulatory system which is the province of Natural England is also essential to ensure the effective protection of our wildlife.

We would also reiterate our recognition of the important part United Utilities play with partner agencies in ensuring that iconic bird species continue to thrive in the Lancashire uplands and would seek to renew what was an effective working relationship which has to be acknowledged has lost its way in recent times.

This project is also contributing to wider conservation efforts across Europe for sea eagles. The ‘flying barn door’, once a regular sight in Scotland’s skies, was driven to extinction by game preservers and collectors in the Victorian era, with the last individual bird killed in 1916.

Sea Eagles only returned to the UK following a successful reintroduction to the West of Scotland, on the Island of Rum in 1975. Claire Smith, RSPB Scotland East Coast Sea Eagle Project Officer, said: “A diet of pike, haddock and roe deer has helped make sure these birds are fit and ready for life in the wild.

Each bird has been fitted with a radio and wing tags so both project staff and the public can follow their progress. Already we receive many calls from the public thrilled to have seen a sea eagle on the east coast. For 2010 we’ve chosen yellow wing tags with black letters and numbers, and as usual any sightings can be reported to us via email on eastscotlandseaeagles@rspb.org.uk.

Since the start of the east coast project in 2007, the survival of the released birds has been good. We now expect that in the next few years some of our older birds will begin to set up territory on the east coast of Scotland and, one day produce chicks of their own.”

 You can check out the details by following the attached link: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/eastscotlandeagles/archive/2010/08/20/finally-they-re-out.aspx

J

Sentencing Lendrum, 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 a former member of the Rhodesian SAS had previous convictions for similar offences in Zimbabwe and Canada for stealing rare eggs and had at one stage abseiled from a helicopter to reach a remote nest.

After the eggs were found on his body, Lendrum, who was travelling on an Irish passport, claimed they were chicken eggs, the court was informed.

Investigators described Lendrum – who pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court – as “the highest level of wildlife criminal” and said the case was one of the most serious of its kind in decades.

Judge Christopher Hodson was told the eggs were destined to be used for falconry in Dubai, where breeders will pay thousands of pounds on the black market for eggs snatched from the wild.

He was caught after a cleaner working in the Emirates business class lounge of the airport spotted him dashing in and out of a shower.

When she went to investigate the shower had not been used and she called in counter-terrorist officers, fearing Lendrum had a more sinister purpose.

Lendrum was charged with taking 14 eggs of a wild bird from a nest, possessing eggs of a wild bird and attempting to evade export restrictions on prohibited goods.

Outside court Lendrum’s brother-in-law Calvin Maughan said: “After his divorce he was hoping to return to Africa where he works on a safari. He didn’t realise the severity of the case.”

Det Chief Insp Alex Murray, from West Midlands Police’s counter terrorism unit, said Lendrum “had a lifelong passion for stealing eggs and exporting them”.

Of the 14 taken, 12 chicks hatched and 11 of them survived and were returned to the wild in Scotland

Follow the link below to hear what Guy Shorrock from the RSPB told the BBC’s Claire Marshall the birds were ”victims of human greed” and Lendrum stood to make ”tens of thousands of pounds” from his crimes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11024923

New information:

Raptor Politics have been tipped off that the convicted smuggler may have been working with a female accomplice who appears boarded the same plane to Dubai with a number of additional eggs concealed beneath her clothing. We are treating this detail on face value, we are unable to corroborate the information we have received.

Footnote: 

During the last 3 breeding seasons alone, a total of 28 peregrine falcon eggs have disappeared from just 8 peregrine nests in Lancashire’s Forest of Bowland: If the court today placed a value of 70K on the 14 peregrine eggs recovered at Birminham International Airport, the value of the eggs lost from Bowland nesting sites amounts to a staggering 140K 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/aug/13/crown-jewels-britains-landscape-sold

Many of the comments from readers of the Guardian are very graphic in their condemnation of the Government proposals and can be found at the link below: We have enclosed here just one  comment from “cloudgrover”

“The Tory party manifesto……….We will cut to All creatures, great and small.
But of course there will be extra money for grouse and pheasant shoots. A preserve of the rich. I`m waiting for the day open season is declared on the lesser spotted Clegg…………..load your guns gentlemen,,,,,,,,,take aim……fireeee

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/aug/13/plan-sell-nature-reserves-austerity-countryside

We would also ask our readers to follow the attached link to Mark Avery’s Blog:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/markavery/archive/2010/08.aspx

In the wrong hands these highly toxic and dangerous substances, which can be purchased over the counter and retained in large quantities without a licence by the public, could theoretically be used to wipe out total raptor populations in our country. This year so far 10 Red Kite chicks have been recovered dead from a minimum of 4 nests on Scotland’s Black Isle, all displaying typical symptoms of rodenticides poisoning. These figures are of particular concern to Scottish conservationists like Brian Etheridge as they represent 10% of the 39 successful nests found this year and the 88 young that reached tagging age of 5 weeks on the Black Isle this year. Of course the losses could be higher if any adult kites from the four nests have also been poisoned. 

Brian Etheridge, who has been involved in monitoring the reintroduced population of red kites on the Black Isle believes that adult birds have been feeding their growing chicks with carcasses of pest animals that have been poisoned on local farmland, with catastrophic consequences.

Brian is the RSPB Red Kite Officer for North Scotland, and has been monitoring the situation over the past 15 years. This summer, he visited four separate nests on the Black Isle and discovered ten dead chicks in total following ingestion of rodent carcasses contaminated with rat poison. “These young birds were displaying classic symptoms of rodenticide poisoning, a particularly painful way for any animal to die,” commented Brian.

“Many rodenticides contain anticoagulants, which gather in the liver of an animal causing heavy internal bleeding. Young red kite chicks undergo a particularly fast growing phase and require a rapid circulatory system in order to grow healthily. Anything that interferes with the blood supply of a young kite is of serious concern and sadly, in every instance, these rodenticides have proven fatal to them. These eight chicks were all quite big, and very close to leaving the nest, but the real number of chicks affected may be more than this.

Chicks which die from rodenticides when very small may be removed from the nest by the adults and the cause of nest failure will never be known. This incident is devastating for the Black Isle red kite population as these eight chicks represent nearly ten per cent of the total red kite chicks produced there this year. ”

There is a legitimate need for rat populations to be controlled in many areas particularly around farm buildings and other rural sites. The most commonly used method is the laying of baits containing poisons, known as rodenticides. Kites are predominantly scavengers, meaning they like to scour the countryside for dead animals to feed upon and as such are admired by ecologists for their role in cleaning up the environment. This lifestyle can unfortunately make them vulnerable to the use of poisons in our countryside as their keen eye-sights very quickly pick out dead carcasses from great heights. Sadly, this includes animals which have been poisoned, requiring vigilance on behalf of people who use rodenticides on their property.

“People can prevent the unnecessary deaths of an already rare and vulnerable species as well as injury and death of other wildlife including their own pets by seeking appropriate ways to control rodent infestation,” Brian continued. “To that end, the RSPB has produced an information leaflet on how to effectively control rodent infestation in a responsible way. This leaflet contains impartial advice and best practice guidelines, such as searching for and correct disposal of dead and dying rats. It also recommends that farmers who regularly see kites foraging around their fields and farm buildings should be particularly cautious when using rodenticides, particularly in the summer months. I would really encourage everyone to have a read of it to get all the appropriate information on the subject prior to choosing rodenticides as a control option.”

 “There is no doubt in my mind that these latest poisoning cases are just tragic accidents but by making informed choices about pest control, we will be able to reduce rat numbers effectively as well as preventing unnecessary damage to our local wildlife”.

The free leaflet entitled ‘Rat poison and the threat to wildlife’ may be obtained by contacting the RSPB on 01463 715000. Details can also be found on the following web site: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/ratpoison_tcm6-16130.pdf

The following statistics relating to the decline of the Kestral may be relivant; between 1995-2008 Kestral numbers in the UK fell by 20%. Between 2008-2009 numbers continued to decline by a further 36%.