Protected birds of prey poisoned

The sea eagle was born on Mull. Pic: Bryan Raines/Wild About Mull

Police are investigating the deaths of two protected birds of prey in Angus, after more than 30 pieces of poisoned meat were found close to their bodies.

A one-year old sea eagle was discovered on the Glenquiech Estate on 4 May by the landowner, who called the RSPB.

Police and wildlife crime experts then searched the area and discovered the body of a buzzard and a mountain hare.

They also found 32 pieces of poisoned venison on fence posts in the neighbouring Glenogil Estate.

The white-tailed sea eagle hatched in the wild in Mull last year as part of a government-back programme to reintroduce the birds.

Since then local people have been following it and sending in their reports to the RSPB.

Residents and farmers helped police keep an eye on the birds and looked out for egg collectors as part of the Mull Eagle Watch.

David Sexton, RSPB Scotland's Mull officer, said: "Like many people on Mull today and elsewhere in Scotland we're upset and devastated that one of the chicks that so many people have done so much to help has been found dead.

"What's so annoying and frustrating about this case is that it had clearly got through it's first real wild test, which is its first winter away from its parents, it had to fend for itself, it had clearly done very well and was on the road to maturity, but it didn't bank on what some people will do to our majestic birds of prey by trying to kill them."

It's highly indicative of a really really strong attempt to kill anything that's flying that likes to eat meat Bob Elliot RSPB Scotland

He added that tough fines and prison sentences have to be given to those who commit such crimes.

The sea eagles bring in about £2m a year to Mull's economy.

RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations Bob Elliot said: "The results from the laboratory that the police took everything to has shown that one of the substances [used to kill the birds] was carbofuran which is a banned agricultural pesticide, it's been banned for many years actually.

"It can kill things extremely quickly, we've even found buzzards slumped or dead over or right by a bait that's been laced with chemicals."

He has no doubt that someone was targeting birds of prey.

"Foxes don't climb fence posts do they?" he said.

"It can only be birds of prey that would be attracted to those, perhaps crows, perhaps they're after ravens, but certainly birds of prey are incredibly attracted to sitting on top of fence posts because they can view the surrounding area and looking for hunting opportunities.

"But the bait on the ground - which is the hare - and then the 32 cubes of venison on the fence posts, it's highly indicative of a really really strong attempt to kill anything that's flying that likes to eat meat."

Environment Minister Michael Russell added: "This is a despicable crime. The sea eagle is a magnificent bird of prey which has been brought back to Scotland to enhance our natural environment.

"Poisoning them is simply unacceptable and I would urge anyone with information to contact the police."