Appeal for information after rare bird found shot
July 2013. RSPB Scotland are appealing for information after a Black-throated diver, one of Scotland's rarest birds, was found dead on the shore of Loch Gowan, near Achnasheen in Wester-Ross.
The bird was discovered by local biologist Jim Raffell and was reported to the RSPB. A post-mortem, carried out by Scottish Agricultural College vets, on behalf of the nature charity, revealed the bird had been shot. Police enquiries have been unable to identify a suspect.
Just 240 breeding pairs
The black-throated diver is an elegant black and white bird, breeding on freshwater lochs and wintering at sea. It is a very rare breeding species in the UK, with the population of around 240 pairs confined to north and west Scotland. They are known for their elegant summer plumage, haunting calls and their tendency to mate for life. This bird killed is believed to have been one from a breeding pair.
A spokesman for RSPB Scotland said: "This is an appalling and inexcusable crime. Black-throated divers are stunning and very rare birds, with their UK stronghold in the Highlands of Scotland. It is truly shocking that one of these birds has been deliberately targeted, with a complete disregard for both the law and the rarity of this species."
Mr Raffell, a fisheries biologist with the Scottish Government, added: "To find a dead black throated diver is very sad, but to then be informed that that it had been shot caused me much upset and made me very angry. How any person could deliberately shoot such a beautiful, enigmatic and uncontroversial bird is outrageous. I hope that by raising awareness of this crime, it will never be repeated."
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, or RSPB Scotland on 0131 317 4100.
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