15th Dumfries Red kite poisoned
09/02/2010 14:32:35
Red Kite discovered on the A75 at Castlehill. Credit RSPB.
Red kite revenue threatened by repeated poisoning
February 2010. Police in Dumfries & Galloway are investigating after a dead Red Kite was discovered on the A75 at Castlehill, just west of Dumfries, on the 8th January. The bird had been illegally poisoned, confirmed by independent toxicology analysis by the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture agency. This is the 15th illegally poisoned Red Kite there has been in Dumfries and Galloway from the reintroduced population.
Wing tags missing
Ringed as a chick in June 2009, the Red Kite was also fitted with coloured wing tags, making it easier to identify in the field. However, these wing tags were missing from the bird's remains. The body was sent to the government laboratory of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture for testing and it was confirmed that the kite had been the victim of illegal poisoning. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bird's death is now underway.
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Ringed as a chick in June 2009, the Red Kite was
also fitted with coloured wing tags. Credit RSPB. |
Chris Rollie, Dumfries and Galloway Area Manager at RSPB Scotland said: "This is a sickening crime that is sure to disgust the entire local community and another tragic case of illegal poisoning of birds of prey in Scotland.
The Galloway Red Kite Trail
The Galloway Red Kite Trail here in Dumfries and Galloway has been a real success story, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond. It has also provided a welcome boost to the local rural economy. It is a shame then that someone should risk sabotaging this by harming such a magnificent bird."
Officers in Dumfries and Galloway are appealing to the public to contact them if they have any information regarding this crime. They can be contacted on 0845 600 5701 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
History of the red kite reintroduction in Scotland
1989 6 imported red kites released on the Black Isle by RSPB Scotland and SNH. 1989-93 93 imported red kites released on the Black Isle over a five year period. 1992 The first wild-bred Scottish chick in over a century is fledged. 1995 A pair of Scottish birds rear the first second-generation Scottish chick. 1996 19 imported red kites are released in central Scotland to help establish a second population centre. 1996-2001 103 red kites released in central Scotland. 1998 Central Scotland sees its first wild-bred chicks born in over 120 years.
| 2001 13 imported red kites, seized from wildlife criminals by German police released in Central Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway. 2002 24 red kites released in Dumfries and Galloway. 2003 The first wild-bred Dumfries and Galloway chick in more than a century is hatched. 33 red kites released in Dumfries and Galloway. 10 red kites released near Loch Ken. 114 young fledged this year. 2008 Scottish population reaches a new high of 122 breeding pairs 2006-2009 101 birds released in Aberdeenshire.
Red kites were once a common sight over medieval towns and cities, feted for their scavenging role, and famous for taking small pieces of cloth to line their nest with. In The winter's tale, Shakespeare wrote "When the kite builds, look to lesser linen"
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Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
Is it just stupid or just thugs that have no brain. That do this kind of thing i hope they are caught and delt with accordingly .
Posted by: Ian Stewart | 14 Feb 2010 13:04:54
I not only hope that the perpetrators of this crime are found and prosecuted but also that the courts hand down such a severe sentence that it will make one think twice about committing such an offence again.
Posted by: ARFOR WILLIAMS | 12 Feb 2010 15:48:20