CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY Many grouse moors are


bereft of breeding raptors, even though the terrain is ideal for them. Nest destruction is the likely cause, along with shooting and poisoning


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chicks, bred specifically for shooting. Grouse shoots are particularly seen as the enemy where the red grouse compete with raptors within the natural habitat.


Many grouse moors are bereft of breeding raptors, even though the terrain is ideal for them. Nest destruction is the likely cause, along with shooting and poisoning. Two ringed, named and tracked hen harriers went ‘missing’ on the ‘Glorious 12th’ (of August). Coincidence? Probably not. The shooting fraternity say that, whilst they acknowledge that some incidences are from within their own ranks, it is the few that are giving the sport a bad name. The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) say that their map of known incidences is just the tip of the iceberg, and that actual figures are considerably higher. The map shown here details 97 cases across the UK from 2017 (2018 data is not yet available). The majority are shootings. Next comes poisoning. This latter method is considerably worrying as any poisoned bait will enter the food chain and not specifically target raptors, thereby endangering many other species from smaller birds, crows, stoats, weasels, badgers, foxes and even domestic animals. I won’t go into the whys and wherefores of countryside pursuits here, suffice to say that working ‘within the law’ should be the


The RSPB’s 2017 map of known illegal killing of birds of prey


minimum requirement for anyone involved in hunting, shooting and fishing. Much like fox hunting, where hunting with dogs still continues even though it was banned in 2004 (2002 in Scotland and still legal in Northern Ireland), birds of prey have been protected by law since the Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981. Penalties are in place for anyone breaking the law, ranging from heavy fines to prison sentences. Sadly, even though most police forces have wildlife crime officers who perform a difficult task


within stretched resources, penalties handed out rarely match the crime and will often go unpunished, again due to lack of resources. Now, whilst it is important that a crime against nature is dealt with according to the law, it is perfectly understandable that crimes against fellow humans take precedence. That is how it has to be. Yet, as the laws are in place, surely maximum fines and sentences should be handed down to act as some sort of deterrent to those hell


A ten week suspended prison sentence for this crime against nature 112 PC February/March 2019


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