The rate of bird of prey poisoning in Scotland has dropped by around 50 per cent. Figures for 2011 released yesterday by the Scottish Government show 10 incidents of poisoning resulted in 16 dead birds of prey, compared to 22 incidents where 28 birds died in 2010.

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According to the Scottish government’s Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW) the 2011 poisonings resulted in the deaths of seven buzzards, four red kites and a golden eagle, amongst other birds. The Scottish government revealed its findings in a ‘hotspot’ map, showing where poisoning occurred during the previous year.

The reductions in illegal wildlife persecution were welcomed by environment minister Stewart Stevenson, who said, “I hope this proves to be the beginning of a continuing reduction in such cases, leading to the end of this outdated, dangerous and cruel practice. Birds of prey are a key part of our ecosystems and a magnificent spectacle in our countryside. They are valued by locals and visitors alike.

“However a small minority continues to persecute them for their own selfish ends.  I hope we are beginning to see a change in attitude.  In the meantime we will continue to work with our partners in PAW Scotland to tackle poisoning and other forms of wildlife crime.”

RSPB has reassured farmers in the past that Kites and other raptors, although they appear large, do not present a threat to lambs; the species have been reintroduced into several areas south of the border in recent years.

However, last year one birdwatcher on the Isle of Mull took a stunning picture of a golden eagle carrying off a lamb. The birdwatcher would not reveal the exact location that the photograph was taken for fear of reprisals against the endangered birds, of which only around thirty breeding pairs remain in the UK. The birds were hunted to extinction in the UK during the Victorian era, though they were reintroduced to Scotland from Norway in 1975.

Crofters on the islands where the birds predominantly live have dismissed the findings of studies using radio tagged lambs which revealed none were taken by eagles.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said of the latest ‘hotspot’ map, “We hope that this is the start of a downward trend in illegal poisoning in Scotland, which in time should also be reflected in an increase in the populations and ranges of some of our most vulnerable species, including golden eagles, hen harriers and red kites.”

Farmers and landowners in Scotland have welcomed the targeted approach provided by the hotspot mapping system, which has protected the reputation of those who do not tolerate crimes against birds of prey on their lands. Mr Orr-Ewing said that the annual maps now constitute one of the key tools used for targeting enforcement resources at the right places.

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