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'Long way to go' on tackling bird of prey persecution, says RSPB

Getty Images A golden eagle on a branch in the rain. Its wings are spreading out as if to shelter itself or take flight.Getty Images
Golden eagles, peregrine falcons and red kites were among the victims of wildlife crime found in the report

A report has shown that there were 182 confirmed persecution incidents involving birds of prey in Scotland over a 10-year period.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) documented cases of raptors being shot, poisoned and trapped between 2015 and 2024.

Its officials said the report made "horrendous reading" and suggested that there was still "a long way to go" in tackling the issue.

Victims of the wildlife crimes included nine golden eagles, 10 peregrine falcons, 12 goshawks, 27 red kites and 52 common buzzards.

The patterns of persecution report found there were a total of 62 shooting incidents, 54 poisoning incidents and 41 incidents involving the illegal use of traps.

Ian Thomson, RSPB investigations manager, said: "This report makes horrendous reading for anyone who cares about the protection of some of our rarest and most spectacular species.

"Documented incidents were widely scattered across the country, from the Scottish Borders to the Western Isles, but it is telling that a significant majority, almost two thirds of recorded incidents (64.3%), occurred on land managed for gamebird shooting."

Getty Images A red kite flying in a blue sky with the sun glinting off its wings and tail feathersGetty Images
The report shows red kites have also been targeted

Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB Scotland's head of land management, said the Scottish Parliament had recognised this situation and introduced the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024, licensing grouse shoots.

"We hope that the very welcome passing of this legislation, during the last year covered by our report, has created a significant deterrent to these crimes, and that the skies above our grouse moors will be safer for eagles, hen harriers, red kites and peregrines," he said.

"Time will tell, but recent incidents of raptors being shot, suspicious disappearances of satellite-tagged eagles and illegal trap use suggest that there is still a long way to go."

An organisation which represents landowners said there were discrepancies between the RSPB's accounting of wildlife crimes and the official figures.

Ross Ewing, of Scottish Land and Estates, said: "We are clear that wildlife crime is unacceptable in any form, and we condemn those who act outside the law.

"In recent years, official Scottish government wildlife crime statistics have indicated a decline in offences against birds of prey to historically low levels which we welcome.

"It is important that public discussion of this issue reflects both the seriousness of any alleged offence and the full picture shown by official data.

"There has been significant work across the land management and gamebird sectors to enhance standards and support raptor conservation, including through initiatives such as the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project."