wildlife crime

[widows son]

Scottish Estates make ‘unprecedented statement’ on wildlife crime

By Gordon Davidson
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21 May 2010
SCOTTISH ESTATES and prominent landowners have issued their strongest ever condemnation of wildlife crime and called for the ‘full weight of the law’ to be brought to bear on anyone who indulges in the illegal poisoning of birds of prey.
More than 200 estates throughout Scotland have signed an unprecedented letter condemning ‘out of hand’ instances of illegal poisoning of protected species.
The landowners and estates set out their position in a letter to the Scottish Government Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham.
The letter stated: “It is for us a straightforward decision to underline our view of illegal poisoning. Frankly, we condemn it out of hand and it has to stop.
“The message must go out to the people who indulge in such criminal behaviour that what they do is totally unacceptable to the overwhelming majority who have the true interests of the countryside at heart.
“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that message is conveyed across the land management sector. We do not presume guilt nor refer to any particular incident, but the apparent deliberate poisoning of protected species in recent years has left us utterly dismayed.
“We also support the full weight of the law being brought to bear on those who are involved in illegal poisoning and endorse the efforts of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime, in which our representative organisations are active and enthusiastic participants.”
The estates said that while wildlife crime had been repeatedly deplored by land management and rural organisations, efforts to eradicate illegal poisoning would be strengthened by individual owners and estates stating their position clearly.
Every estate contacted signed the letter and other estates are expected to declare their support in the coming weeks.

The signatories to date are as follows:

Lord Aberdeen, Haddo Estate, Ellon
The Earl of Aboyne, Aboyne Estate, Aboyne
James Adamson, Careston Castle, Brechin
Ailsa 1983 Trust, Culzean Estate, Maybole
Ailsa Continuing Trust, Cassillis Estate, Maybole
David Allingham, Gualin Estate, Lairg
Paul Anthony, Mid Bellandy Estate, Glenrinnes
The Duke of Argyll, Argyll Estates
The Hon Philip Astor, Tillypronie Estate, Aberdeenshire
Alan Bailey, Spital Tower, nr Denholm
Alex Baillie, Dochfour Estate, Inverness
Lord Balneil, Balcarres Estate, Fife
Andrew Barbour, Bonskeid Estate, Pitlochry
N R D Barlow, The Park, Earlston
Dick Bartlett, Grouse moor operator in Grampian/Highlands
Victor Beamish, Moy Estate
Patrick Benson, Old Parr House, Minto, Denholm
J Billett, Kintradwell Estate, by Brora
Simon Blackett, Invercauld Estates, Braemar
Blackhills Estate, Elgin
Nick Boileau, Hope Estate, Lairg
Luke Borwick, Blair Estate, Dalry
Ewen Brodie, Lethen Estate, Nairn
Andrew Brough, Bowhill Estate, Selkirk
Michael Bruce, Glen Tanar Estate, Aboyne
The Duke of Buccleuch, Buccleuch Estates
Robin Buchanan, Dalcross Estate, Croy
James Burnett, Leys Estate, Kincardineshire
Andrew Buxton, Drumcluan, Kincraig
Morag Cadzow, Muirend Farm, Broxburn
Donald Cameron, Lochiel Estates, Achnacarry
Pete Campbell, Balblair, Bonar Bridge
Patrick Campbell Fraser, Borthwickshiels
Thomas Cattanach, Newton Farm, Garmouth
Nigel Cayzer, Kinpurnie Estate, Blairgowrie
Gavin Chapman, Kinloch Estate, St Fergus
Rod Christie, Cotts Farm, Elgin
Mary Coltman, Haystoun, Peebles
David Cranstoun, Corehouse Estate, Lanark
Ian F and Evelyn Crombie, Over Rankeilour Farms, Cupar
Angus Crow, Glenlethnot Estate, Angus Glens
Lord Dalhousie, Dalhousie Estates, Brechin
Lord Dalmeny, Dalmeny Estates, South Queensferry
Patrick and Gillian Dalton, Milrighall, by Selkirk
Capt Ian C De Sales La Terriere, Dunalastair Estate, by Pitlochry
Peter H J de Vink, Huntly Cot, Temple
The Hon Mrs Anastasia D Delap, Achadunan Estate, Cairndow
James Dick, Andersons Northern, agricultural consultants
R P Douglas Miller, Horseupcleugh, Duns
Lord Doune, Moray Estates, Berryley
Sir Archibald Ranulph and Lady Amelia Dunbar, Duffus Estate, Elgin
James Duncan Millar, Remony Estate, Remony
Richard Eliott Lockhart, Cleghorn, near Lanark
Tom Eyre, Burnend Farm, Grange
Andrew Farquharson, Finzean Estate, Banchory
Andrew Feilden, Ardverikie Estate, Kinlochlaggan
James Findlay, Whiterow House, Forres
Finegand Estate Ltd, Glenshee, Perthshire
George C Fleming, Grange of Aberbothrie, Alyth
Sir George I D Forbes-Leith, Fyvie Estate, Turriff
Hugh and Ann Fraser, Overwells, Jedburgh
Hugh Fullarton-Smith, European Nature Trust
David Fyffe, Fetternear, Kamnay
G.B.B Estates Ltd, Inverasdale Estate, Wester Ross
James Galbraith, Rawflat, Ancrum
Jamie Gammell, Alrick, Glenisle
Gask Estate, Auchterarder
Stephen Gibbs, Dougarie Estate, Isle of Arran
Joe Gibbs, Belladrum Estate, Beauly
J Mark Gibson, Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington
Michael Gibson CBE, Edinvale, Dallas
John Gilmour, Balcormo Mains, Leven
Nicholas Gilmour, Montrave Estate, Leven
Robert Gladstone, Capenoch Estate, Penpont
Charles Gladstone, Fasque and Glendye Estates, Kincardineshire
Glenmazeran Estate
Andrew Duncan Gordon, Lude Estate, Blair Atholl
Sir Alistair Gordon Cumming, Altyre Estate
Alex and Priscilla Gordon-Duff, Drummuir Castle Estate, Drummuir
Heather Gow, Strathmore Estate, Altnaharra
Sir Archibald Grant, Monymusk Estate, Monymusk
Johnnie and James Grant, Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore
Mr and Mrs James Greenwood, Lairg Estate, Lairg
John Guthrie, Rosehaugh Estate, Black Isle
Hugh Halcro-Johnston, Orphir House, Orkney
The Marquess of Hamilton, Ardchyline and Minto Estates
Richard Harington, Strathrusdale and Crannich Estate, Easter Ross
Malcolm Hay, Edinglassie Estate, Glass, Huntly
Ruaraidh Hilleary, Edinbane Estate
Peter and Charlotte Hingston, Fairburn Estate, Urray
David Houldsworth, Dallas Estate, Forres
Andrew Howard, Little Blervie, Forres
E C M Humphrey, Dinnet and Kinord Estates, Aboyne
Charlotte Hunt, Keir Hill, Balfron
Jamie Ingall, Airds Estate, Mossdale
Adrian Ivory, Ruthven and Cardean Farms, Wester Cardean
James R Jeffrey, Halls, Dunbar
Lord Johnstone, Annandale Estates, St Ann’s
Lord Joicey, Loch Choire Estate, Ford and Etal Estates
Lord Kennedy, Morrison Farms
Tim J Kirkwood, CKD Galbraith
Alasdair Laing, Logie Estates, Forres
Murdoch Laing, Scardroy
Simon W D Laird, East Memus, Forfar
Kurt Larson, Kingairloch Estate, Kingairloch
Margaret A Lascelles, Straloch, Enochdhu
PJ Lewis, Cotfield, Melrose
Miranda Lindsay, Taymount Estate, Stanley
The Earl of Lindsay, Lahill, Upper Largo
Paul Lister, Alladale Wilderness Lodge and Reserve, Ardgay
James Lithgow, Ormsary Estate, Lochgilphead
John Lithgow, Inver Estate, Isle of Jura
Angus Macdonald Lockhart, Lee and Carnwath Estates, Shawfield
Marquis of Lothian, Lothian Estates, Jedburgh
David Lowes, Glenfalloch Estate, Ardlui
Luss Estates Company, Luss Estates, Arnburn
Peter Macdonald, Waterheads, Eddleston
Thomas MacDonnell, Glenfeshie Estate, Kincraig
Rob and Christine Mack, Muirton Mains, Fairburn
John Mackenzie, Gairloch and Conon Estates, Conon Bridge
Alex Mackenzie Smith, Newrow Farm, Methven
Gavin and Suzanne MacKessack-Leitch, Carden, Inchstelly and Rheeves, Moray
Celia Mackintosh, Moy Estate
Angus Maclay, Whitelee, St Boswells
Ewen MacPherson, Attadale Estate, Strathcarron
Gordon Macpherson, Arinackaig Estate
Alastair Macphie, Glenbervie Estate, Stonehaven
Malcolm Macrae, Breckness Estate, Orkney
Robin Maitland, Strutt and Parker
The Hon Gerald Maitland-Carew, Thirlestane Castle, Lauder
Lord Margadale of Islay, Islay Estates Company, Bridgend
Charles Marsham, Rispond Estate, Durness
David Matthews, Blackwood Estate, Auldgirth
Michael Maxwell Stuart, Baitlaws, Biggar
Doug McAdam, Cuil an Duin, Ballinluig
Keith McKellar, Hannah Research Institute, Ayr
Angus McMillan Douglas, nr Forfar
Andrew Mickel, Mactaggart and Mickel
Mark Molyneux, Morsgail Estate, Isle of Lewis
Hector Munro, Foulis Farms, Evanton
Lord Neidpath, Wemyss and March Estates, Longniddry
Malcolm Nicol, Ballogie Estate, Aboyne
Mark Nicolson, Mar Estate, Braemar
Sir Francis Ogilvy, Winton House, Pencaitland
Sir Archibald Orr-Ewing, Cardross Estate, Port of Monteith
Mrs Emma Paterson, Barncroft of Auchlyne, Killin
Mark Pattinson, Lochcarron Estate, Wester Ross
James and Margaret Payne, Ardvar Estate, Drumbeg
The Hon Charles Pearson, Dunecht Estates, Dunecht
Colonel Timothy Purdon, Coatefield House, Wiltshire
W B Ramsay, Chesthill Estate, Perthshire
Dr Sigrid Rausing, Coignafearn Estate, Tomatin
Lisbet Rausing, Corrour Estate, Fort William
David and Chrissie Reid, Portmore Estates, Peebles
Alastair J Riddell, Chesthill Estate, Balintyre
Patrick Ross Taylor, Littlegill, Biggar
The Duke of Roxburghe, Roxburghe Estate, Kelso
James Ruggles-Brise, Ledgowan Estate, Achnasheen
Andrew Salvesen, Findrack and Tillyfour Estates, Banchory
Cmdr Thomas Stephen Sampson, Mains of Balgavies
Alison Sangster, Old Hall, Watten
Colin Sangster, Old Hall, Watten
Robert Schiller, Craigdarroch, Moniaive
Ewen and Jenny Scobie, Rhidorroch Estate, Ullapool
Alexander Scott, Gelston Castle Estate, Castle Douglas
William Thomas Scott, Meiklewood, Gargunnock
Joe Scott-Plummer, Mainhouse, Kelso
The Earl of Seafield, Seafield and Strathspey Estates
David Seed, Cothill Farm, Duns
Christo Shepherd, Pitmillan, Newburgh
Walter Simpson, Downhill, Glendevon
Matthew Sinclair, Knocknalling, St John’s Town of Dalry
Donna Skelly, Grigor and Young
The Hon Philip Smith, Coulin Estate, Kinlochewe
Robert Smyly, Sunderland Hall, Galashiels
Frank Spencer-Nairn, Culligran Estate, Struy
Michael Spencer-Nairn, Struy Estate
Edward Sprot, Garnkirk Estate, Stepps
Lord Stair, Stair Estates, nr Stranraer
John Steel, Ashentully
Tony Stevenson, Selkirk
Mike Stevenson, Fawside, nr Gordon
J C Stewart, Arndean, Dollar
Lord Stormont, Mansfield Estates
Malcolm Strang Steel, Greenhead of Arnot, Leslie
Michael Strang Steel, Philiphaugh Estate, Selkirk
Viscount Strathallan, Stobhall Estate, Stobhall, Perth
David Sumsion, Ardkinglas Estate, Cairndow
Sutherland Estates, Golspie
Alistair Swanson, Tister, Halkirk
Susie Swift, Kintail House, Inverness
Chris Swift, South Clunes Farm, Inverness
Adrian Sykes, Kinloch Estate, Tongue
Mr H D Teacher, Fealar Estate
Mark Tennant, Innes Estate, Elgin
Major Alexander Trotter, Mortonhall and Charterhall
H P Trotter, T/A Printonan Farm
J H Trotter, Mordington Farm, Berwick upon Tweed
Sarah Troughton, Atholl Estates, Blair Atholl
Daye Tucker, Carbeth Home Farm, Balfron
Jonathan Michael Turnbull, Strone Estate, Cairndow
William Pratesi Urquhart, Craigston Estate, Turriff
James Vestey, Ormiston, Hawick
James Vestey, Benmore Estate, Lairg
George Vestey, Inchnadamp Estate
Sir Andrew Walker, Glenmuick Estate, Ballater
Dee Ward, Rottal Estate, Angus Glens
Johnny Watson, Lewinshope
Welbeck Estates, Berriedale, Sutherland
The Duke of Westminster, Reay Forest Estate, Achfary
Jamie Williamson, Alvie Estate, Kincraig
Simon Winton, Dalmunzie Estate, Glenshee
Charles Wolrige-Gordon, Esslemont Estate, Ellon
Wylye Valley Farming Limited, Aberarder Estate, Strathnairn


RSPB Scotland welcomed the letter – although it wrongly attributed it to the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association and the Scottish Estates Business Group, rather than ithe individual estate owners.
“We are glad that a lead has been taken in the light of recent reported crimes and others that are still under investigation,” said an RSPB spokesman.
“The use of illegal poisons and traps must not be tolerated and has no place in a modern Scotland. Estate owners and managers now need to take responsibility for getting this message across to their staff, and rooting this problem out once and for all.
“Killing adult golden eagles, red kites and other scarce species is a very serious crime; more serious than the theft of eggs in terms of its impact at a population level, and the courts must use the sentencing options they have to send an unequivocal

 

[Dan Gliballs]

I see hypocrisy is still alive and well.

 

[JC275]

I see hypocrisy is still alive and well.

I can't think what you mean Dan?!

Whilst a cynical person like myself sees this as a joke, one very good thing that may/will come of this is that, if a wildlife crime takes place on one of these estates, the authorities (and everyone else who has an opinion) will come down on them like a tonne of bricks. JC

 

[Labrat]

I liked James Marchingtons idea of a "raptor friendly" label for estates and shoots to use as a marketing/PR programme

 

[trouble]

How quickly we forget the Langholme report . Look at the big picture , heather moorland that suports the red grouse is rarer than rain forest and red grouse are only found here , the RSPBs flagship bird , the hen harrier , along with peregrines , golden eagles and sea eagles are all found in other countries . What happened to the langholme keepers and the the harriers when there were no keepers controling fox numbers ?

 

[JC275]

How quickly we forget the Langholme report . Look at the big picture , heather moorland that suports the red grouse is rarer than rain forest and red grouse are only found here , the RSPBs flagship bird , the hen harrier , along with peregrines , golden eagles and sea eagles are all found in other countries . What happened to the langholme keepers and the the harriers when there were no keepers controling fox numbers ?

Pub quiz question: What was the single biggest factor in the loss of heather moorland in the last 100 years? JC

 

[Tamus]

Pub quiz question: What was the single biggest factor in the loss of heather moorland in the last 100 years? JC

Was it?

A) Grazing pressure from increased sheep and deer numbers.

B) Afforestation. including the fanciful and romantic "Caledonian Pine Forest" re-generation scheme.

C) The creation/expansion of reservoirs for drinking water and hydro-electric power production.

D) Highways construction/expansion/upgrading

 

[JC275]

Was it?

A) Grazing pressure from increased sheep and deer numbers.

B) Afforestation. including the fanciful and romantic "Caledonian Pine Forest" re-generation scheme.

C) The creation/expansion of reservoirs for drinking water and hydro-electric power production.

D) Highways construction/expansion/upgrading

All factors but afforestation was the big one in terms of acreage and I think that it was done long before the 'recreate the lost forest' idea was around.

In answer to Troubles point about Langholm, the first project was not without its problems, and I don't know enough to comment in detail, but, there are 'keepers on those moors again now and they are working hard to find a solution to the raptor/grouse issues.

One thing that is certain, in my mind at least, is that the solution is not going to be 'kill the raptors, theres plenty of them elsewhere'.

Red Grouse and Grey Partridges will only be effectively conserved by shooting interests, that is clear to us, but try to see it from the outside? You have to understand that it is difficult for the general public to support wild bird 'keepering when the quarry species themselves are scarce and every time a 'keeper is caught breaking the law it sets us back years.

I'm afraid the days when we could lable everyone who didn't agree with shooting as an anti/bunny hugger/nutter are long gone. We simply cannot say 'huh, what do they know, we know best'. We are the minority and, like it or not, minorities suffer and rarely win in the long term; thats a fact of life.

JC

 

[finnbear270]

Wonder if that Marchington chap has anything to do with quarrying?

 

[Tamus]

.
You have to understand that it is difficult for the general public to support wild bird 'keepering when the quarry species themselves are scarce and every time a 'keeper is caught breaking the law it sets us back years.

JC

Absolutely... Poor old Joe public thinks what they are herded into thinking, even the shepherds don't really think for themselves. They only think they do

Meanwhile, the strokes of politicians' and planners' pens do infinitely more harm to wildlife than any miscreant "keeper", with no penalty at all.

It's all a bit sad really IMHO.

 

[trouble]

JC275 , the biggest loss of heather moorland was caused by draining for sheep farming which lead to more sheep hence over grazing . Brian Mitchell and his team of keepers all lost their jobs as a direct result of increased hen harrier predation on grouse , hen harrier numbers exploded as did all predators foxes moved back in and started taking harriers off nests , now Simon Lester is in place controling foxes and other ground vermin . My point being there were harriers there , in small numbers , there was a productive grouse moor which brought alot of money into the local ecconomy . Another thing to point out is the reason grey partridges arent fully protected is if they were they would vanish altogether because there would be no incentive to conserve them . Tamus is right , dont knock the keepers its the politicians doing the real long term damage . Every year we hear the RSPCA saying theres a rise in raptor persacution , were are the prosacutions ?, every autum they tell us harriers have had a record year , whats it to be .

 

[JC275]

JC275 , the biggest loss of heather moorland was caused by draining for sheep farming which lead to more sheep hence over grazing . Brian Mitchell and his team of keepers all lost their jobs as a direct result of increased hen harrier predation on grouse , hen harrier numbers exploded as did all predators foxes moved back in and started taking harriers off nests , now Simon Lester is in place controling foxes and other ground vermin . My point being there were harriers there , in small numbers , there was a productive grouse moor which brought alot of money into the local ecconomy . Another thing to point out is the reason grey partridges arent fully protected is if they were they would vanish altogether because there would be no incentive to conserve them . Tamus is right , dont knock the keepers its the politicians doing the real long term damage . Every year we hear the RSPCA saying theres a rise in raptor persacution , were are the prosacutions ?, every autum they tell us harriers have had a record year , whats it to be .

You may well be correct on all of these points, and I may well be wrong, but do you think that gameshooting is going to come out on top in five, ten or fifty years? I can't be bothered to do the googling but, how do you think membership numbers stack up between the RSPB, RSPCA and local Wildlife Trusts on one side and all of the shooting organisiations on the other? You can blame whoever you like, but this is 2011 not 1811 or 1911. Wildlife crime (which is what this topic is about) is unacceptable in whatever form and however you try to justify it to yourself. Its a bloody shame that there aren't more convictions, whether that be 'keepers, estate owners or planners, but thats life. JC

 

[sikamalc]

I do agree with most of the comments being made on this thread. Politicians and stupid rules and regulations some of which eminate from faceless individuals in EU have all had an impact in some way or another on the British Countryside and its wildlife, and of course fieldsports.

However a balance needs to be maintained for the good of the countryside and those that work in it and protect it. To that end I am totally against the poisoning of any bird of prey as it is illegal, immoral and brings down the good name of fieldsports.

Non the less in some areas certain raptors are causing issues and this needs investigating and if needs be common sense applying.
By that I do not mean that everytime a Hen Harrier flys over your ground it would give you the right to destroy it, but if an individual bird was becoming seriously problematic then a swift and easy route through a legal system should be at hand to help the keeper or land owner out. I believe there is such a system in place but the chances of getting a yes is almost impossible, and yet the RSPB have used this route in the past to control gulls and other predators around Tern nesting sites.

We must keep within the law, but the law must be sensible and sympathetic towards those that work in the countryside, whilst also protecting the wildlife and the countryside that we all enjoy and care for so much.

 

[trouble]

JC , im not condoning killing raptors , my point is we have always had them , right through the hight of victorian game shooting until the modern day so do they need any more protection ? no , do twichers put more money into scotland than gameshooters ? no. And bye the way i havent googled this , i maybe in the cotswolds now , but ive had plenty of heather beneath my boots . We need to stick together because at the end of the day we are all pishing in the same bucket

 

[jimbo123p]

Trouble is mi;;ions are being spent reducing the size of the bucket.

 

[Jamba]

Brian Mitchell and his team of keepers all lost their jobs as a direct result of increased hen harrier predation on grouse , hen harrier numbers exploded as did all predators foxes moved back in and started taking harriers off nests , now Simon Lester is in place controling foxes and other ground vermin

Brain retired and the other lads were given other tasks with the Estate, mainly deer management, don't need to be a clever man to say the project ruined the moor.
The amount of heather lost over the last 20 + years will contribute greatly against any efforts to increase grouse numbers nevermind trying to overcome the other hurdles.