Action demanded on bird predators

The report calls for more measures to stop the killing of birds of prey

Countryside and conservation groups are demanding more efforts are made to stop the illegal killing of birds of prey.

There are 15 different species of birds of prey in the UK, with birds such as golden eagles, hen harriers and peregrine falcons in Scotland.

A report backed by 26 groups and charities called On a Wing and a Prayer says the numbers of some of these species had increased in recent years.

But it warns that illegal activity is a real threat in the Scottish uplands.

It says there are still a minority of people who were prepared to shoot, trap and poison birds.

The organisations behind this report are calling for the laws protecting birds of prey to be maintained and properly enforced to stamp out illegal killing Stuart Housden RSPB Scotland

It adds that the number of such incidents reported to the RSPB is "unacceptably high".

Figures from the Scottish Agriculture Science Agency showed that more than 50 birds of prey were poisoned in 2007 - including a golden eagle which was found dead near a grouse moor in the Borders last August.

Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "The turn around in the fortunes of our birds of prey is a cause for national celebration, and we must not allow the illegal activities of a few selfish individuals to obscure the hard work of so many people.

"That is why the organisations behind this report are calling for the laws protecting birds of prey to be maintained and properly enforced to stamp out illegal killing."

He added: "We also want to see a wider appreciation that a countryside that supports birds of prey is a sign of a healthy environment.

"Their presence in our skies is a sign that the wider countryside is in good shape and is managed to the benefit of all wildlife."

'Increased enforcement'

The report entitled On a Wing and a Prayer is backed by 26 conservation, countryside and welfare groups, including RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, the Ramblers' Association Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

It found poisoning and shooting were the most common forms of illegal activity against birds of prey.

But it added that incidents where nests and eggs had been destroyed had also been recorded.

The report said: "The number of persecution incidents reported to the RSPB over the last 10 years remains unacceptably high."

It continued: "Reported incidents under-represent the true scale of the problem. Unfortunately few incidents lead to convictions due to the difficulties in securing evidence against those involved."

The report concluded: "We believe that the existing level of legal protection for birds of prey is fully justified and that increased enforcement is needed to effectively tackle illegal persecution."

Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesman Mike Rumbles urged the government to ensure the laws that protect birds of prey were properly enforced.

He said: "Although it's really encouraging to see more birds of prey in Scotland, it's disappointing that there are still high levels of people who deliberately and illegally trap, shoot and poison these birds."

Environment Minister Michael Russell said he had met the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (Paw) Scotland and discussed ways in which to stop "the barbaric practices of shooting, trapping and poisoning birds of prey".

"Persecution of these birds is a crime, and it is a crime that the Scottish public will no longer tolerate", he added.