Police are appealing for information after the remains of an osprey were found near Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross on Friday (3 May, 2024).
The protected species is believed to have been nesting at Loch of the Lowes, close to where it was found.
Enquiries are at an early stage to establish the full circumstances.
Inspector James Longden said: “It is illegal to kill any protected species and we are working closely alongside partner agencies to confirm what has happened here and whether there is any criminality involved.
“Information from the local community could prove vital and it is important we speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, or who may know something which could assist our investigation.
“Any information can be passed to Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3266 of Friday, 3 May, 2024. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
More information on wildlife crime can be found on our website:
Scottish Government’s draft Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill marks biggest intervention in land management for generations
The Scottish Government yesterday published its draft Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. The Bill has been introduced to protect the environment and tackle the persecution of birds of prey.
It is expected to significantly change the way in which large areas of Scotland are managed, making it one of the biggest interventions in this area for generations.
Campaign Manager for REVIVE, Max Wiszniewskisaid: “The proposed bill is a major intervention in land management that regulates destructive practices through licensing, instead of stopping them.
“Intensively managed grouse moors are unnatural monocultures that are burned and stripped of competing wildlife so more grouse can be shot for sport. By creating a circle of destruction around huge areas of our land, biodiversity and more diverse economic opportunities are missed for Scottish people and communities.
“With a new First Minister on the horizon, as the bill progresses through Parliament, we hope it will be even bolder and braver to meet the expectations of the Scottish people.”
The Bill follows a review into grouse moor management led by Professor Werritty, the findings of which were published in December 2019. A year later the Scottish Government committed to introduce measures which will hold land managers far more accountable for their activities.
The Bill proposes to strictly regulate the use of muirburn, the controlled burning of vegetation, on peatland as well as ending raptor persecution. It also includes measures to ensure grouse moors are managed sustainably, to ban the use of glue traps for rodents and tighten regulations for the use of other types of wildlife traps.
Robbie Marlsand, Director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, a REVIVE coalition partneradded: “When it comes to grouse shooting, this Bill appears well intentioned but kicks a couple of contentious cans down the road. Snares are primitive, cruel and indiscriminate. This Bill should remove them from the Scottish countryside – with no ifs and no buts.
“The impact of this Bill on killing grouse for sport will also depend much on the content of a yet to be written code of conduct that shooting estates must comply with. Only when that is finalised will we be able to appreciate the potential impact of this legislation. For example, hundreds of thousands of animals are killed each year so that there can be more grouse to shoot for fun and it’s not yet known if this Bill will change that.
“Killing any animal for entertainment is repugnant to the majority of people in Scotland. We therefore welcome any incremental steps that will make it more difficult to do.”
A group of home schooled children from Musselburgh recently took part in the groundbreaking South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project to help safeguard the future of Golden Eagles in the UK.
Fancy a bird’s eye view of some young birds of prey? You can now get up close and personal with a family of sparrowhawks at the Botanic Gardens!
In partnership with RSPB Scotland, Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group and the Scottish Seabird Centre a live ‘nestcam’ has been trained on the nest of a sparrowhawk in the Garden.
The Garden has been a key breeding site for these magnificent birds for many years and research on sparrowhawks across the City is indicating that it is one of the most productive breeding territories due to the healthy population of songbirds that make up the prey of sparrowhawks.
Live images of the sparrowhawk family can be seen at the viewpoint in the John Hope Gateway from 10am to 6pm, with interpretation of activity at the nest provided by RSPB staff and volunteers from Wednesday to Sunday 1-4pm.
