Restaurant plea for bird problem

Feeding stations have been set up for Griffon vultures

A farmer who lost £3,000-worth of livestock to raven attacks last year has suggested the setting up of designated feeding areas for the birds.

John Kirk, who farms in Badenoch and Strathspey, in the Highlands, said it was based on an idea from France.

French feeding stations, also known as restaurants, provide carrion for Egyptian and Griffon vultures.

RSPB Scotland said it recognised the problems caused by ravens, but finding a solution was not simple.

Earlier this week, NFU Scotland said controls on ravens had been relaxed allowing farmers - in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage - to shoot more of the birds where they were a serious threat to stock.

But Mr Kirk said shooting the large crows was not easy and alternatives must be explored.

He said: "This is a feeding problem.

"If they haven't got any food they go and eat live lambs so maybe the RSPB should be looking at where they are going to feed the birds.

"In France they use feeding areas for the vultures and they have these areas fenced off, but here we seem to be wanting the farmer to feed it."

'Generalist predator'

Restaurants have been established in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes and Languedoc-Roussillon for Egyptian and in other areas for Griffon vultures.

Duncan Orr Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said the conservation charity was sympathetic to the plight of farmers and crofters, but all control techniques needed careful consideration.

He said: "Diversion feeding is a possibility, but perhaps what one needs to understand with ravens is they are what is called a generalist predator.

"That means they are quite adaptable in the food sources that they will exploit. Therefore, supplying a regular food source may not solve the problem."

But he added: "It is likely to be an attraction to ravens and is a good technique and maybe something that could be trialled."