More suspicious deaths of Scots birds of prey
TWO hen harriers being monitored by conservationists have disappeared in suspicious circumstances, leading to fears they have been illegally killed.
Two hen harriers disappeared in suspicious circumstances
A year-old female named Saorsa went missing in the Angus Glens, while a two-year-old female, Finn, disappeared near Moffat in Dumfriesshire.
Both were fitted with satellite tags as part of the RSPB’s EU-funded Hen Harrier LIFE project, to monitor their movements.
Saorsa’s tag showed she was in the Angus Glens from November last year until February 16, when it ceased transmissions.
She has not been seen or heard from since.
Finn’s tag documented her movements until March 25, when transmissions ceased.
The sudden disappearance of these protected rare birds shows that current legislation is not sufficient.
RSPB Scotland and Police Scotland have appealed for information on both cases.
The hen harrier is the most persecuted bird of prey in the UK and features on the red list of endangered species. Once widespread, by 1900 persecution by game preservers and skin and egg collectors had pushed the bird to the edge of extinction.
Although the species has fought back, there are only around 500 breeding pairs in Scotland.
Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB Scotland’s Head of Species and Land Management, said: “Satellite tags are more than 90 per cent reliable and we would expect, if the birds had died from natural causes, to be able to recover both the tag and the body. But this has not been the case.
Hen harriers are the most persecuted bird of prey in the UK
“The sudden disappearance of these protected rare birds shows that current legislation is not sufficient.”
A spokesman for Balnagown Estate said: “Saorsa’s loss is deeply felt as we strive hard to assist with conservation and protection of our wonderful wildlife.”
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association said: “We sincerely hope these two birds will be found.”