Birds of prey threatened

Birds of prey threatened

5 November 2014

THE majestic red kite is under threat in Down, with a significant number of Northern Ireland’s bird crimes taking place locally.

A new report shows that 24 incidents were reported to the RSPB here in 2013, with the highest proportion — nine cases — reported in County Down.

Of these, four red kites and three buzzards were confirmed poisonings. Rabbit bait was involved in two cases.

Overall in Northern Ireland ten birds of prey were confirmed as poisoned in the RSPB’s ‘Birdcrime’ publication.

The charity believes the worrying statistics reflect the ongoing challenges facing red kites in the area.

The species was persecuted to extinction in Ireland in the 18th century but in 2008 the RSPB, along with project partners the Golden Eagle Trust and Welsh Kite Trust, began a reintroduction project that has been successful in encouraging the birds to breed here.

Red kites, like all birds of prey, are protected under the law but remain vulnerable to poisoned bait left out to deliberately target them or with the intention of controlling pests.

This was the cause of the death of one red kite in April 2013 in Down after it ingested rabbit bait laced with the illegal pesticide Aldicarb.

“With a relatively small breeding population here in Northern Ireland, every death is a blow,” said Michelle Hill, senior conservation officer at RSPB NI.

“Witnessing red kites soaring above the Mournes is enough to take your breath away but sadly we are being robbed of the chance to see these beautiful birds flourish because of illegal persecution.”

Ms. Hill said the report also revealed some shocking statistics UK-wide, with 164 reports of shooting and destruction of birds of prey and 74 reported incidents of wildlife poisoning and pesticide-related offences.

“Confirmed victims of poisoning include 30 buzzards, 20 red kites, a golden eagle and a white-tailed eagle which was found dead in County Antrim,” she said.

“However, these figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the illegal persecution in the UK, with many incidents thought to be going undetected and unreported.

“In 2013, the RSPB received information on 32 individual prosecutions involving wild birds. Fines for the year totalled £21,285 and four people were given prison sentences. However there were no prosecutions in Northern Ireland.

“The RSPB is doing more than ever to help birds of prey, including monitoring and undertaking research, raising awareness among the public and working with other organisations to stop persecution.”

She added: “We would appeal to the public to report any suspected incidents of wildlife crime to their local police station on 101 to help ensure the perpetrators are caught and birds of prey can fly high in our skies without the threat of persecution.”