Buzzard found poisoned in Ayrshire

03/12/2018

Police Scotland has issued a warning after an illegally poisoned Common Buzzard was found on the outskirts of Mauchline, Ayrshire, on 2 November by a member of the public.. It was still alive upon discovery, although in a severely distressed state, but thankfully survived the ordeal. A toxicology report confirmed the buzzard had ingested poison.

As a result of the report verdict, Police Scotland are concerned that this illegal activity is happening in the area and have appealed to the public for any information that may lead to detecting the person responsible for this deliberate act.

PC Sam Briggs, Wildlife Crime Officer, said: "It is a serious concern that someone has targeted wildlife in this illegal and indiscriminate manner. If anything unusual is discovered I would advise not to touch it, but instead cover it if you can and contact the police, giving them the exact location."

Police are working alongside partner agencies Scottish SPCA, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and Agricultural Officers to fully investigate the matter. Anyone with information on the illegal use of pesticides or who may has seen something suspicious – particularly in the last month or so – is advised to call 101 and quote No: SP-20181120-2194 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This latest episode involving Common Buzzards is one of several to have occurred during the last 12 months, with other incidents having taken place in Co Cork, Powys and North Yorkshire.

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Protection of rare bird of prey could halt Donegal wind farm

Irish Raptor Study Group seeking High Court order quashing decision to grant permission

Wed, Sep 19, 2018, 15:34

Ray Managh

The protection of one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey could potentially stop the multi-million-euro development of a wind farm in Meenbog, Co Donegal.

The Irish Raptor Study Group, a voluntary organisation committed to the monitoring for conservation purposes of birds of prey, particularly the Hen Harrier and Buzzard throughout Ireland, has been granted leave to legally challenge An Board Pleanála’s approval of the development.

Mr Justice David Barniville said in the High Court Wednesday that on October 25th he would consider setting a date for a judicial review and directed that all parties have relevant documentation lodged in court by October 19th.

Barrister David Browne, who appeared with Fred Logue of FP Logue Solicitors for the Study Group, told the court his client was seeking an order quashing the planning board’s decision of June 25th last granting the developer Planree Limited planning permission.

Although the main thrust of the proceedings is against An Bord Pleanála the developer and Donegal County Council have been joined as notice parties.

Ryan Wilson-Parr, of Gleann Alainn, Drogheda, Co Louth, who is chairman of the bird protection group, claims the planning permission is contrary to the European Birds Directive and to the Planning and Development Act.

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Birds of prey found poisoned in southwestern Slovakia

The perpetrators might spend one to six years in prison if found guilty.

State conservationists have launched special inspections in areas inhabited by rare birds of prey, following the increased number of cases where poisoned animals were found close to municipalities in southwestern Slovakia.

Just during the past week, a female eastern imperial eagle from Hungary was found poisoned close to the village of Malý Cetín, and four white-tailed eagles were discovered in the district of Šaľa (both in the Nitra Region). Most recently, the police informed the public about two new cases from the Nitra Region on March 29, involving common buzzards and the western marsh harrier.

“All crucial measures are aimed at reducing the risk of this serious deed,” said Martin Lakanda, head of the State Nature Protection of Slovakia (ŠOP SR), as quoted by the SITA newswire. “The employees of ŠOP SR, in cooperation with the relevant subjects, are carrying out a special inspection of affected areas and will intensify the guarding of selected localities.”

Read on 

Investigation after at least one buzzard found dead in Suffolk woodland

PUBLISHED: 15:11 26 February 2018 | UPDATED: 16:49 26 February 2018

John Grant

Police are investigating the shooting of at least one common buzzard - a legally protected bird of prey - that was found dead in a Suffolk wood.

Two buzzard corpses were reported to Suffolk Constabulary’s wildlife crime team in an incident described by naturalists as “appalling and abhorrent.” The bodies were found in woodland known as Little Carr, “on the edge of a shooting estate” on the banks of the River Dove, near Hoxne, the team’s Sgt Brian Calver said yesterday.

The discovery was reported by “a person with shooting rights”, but when a police officer visited the site only one corpse could be found. It was believed that the birds died in January, he said.

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Buzzard shot eight times found dead near Llanrhaeadr Waterfall

By Sue Austin | Mid Wales | News | Published: Feb 24, 2018

A buzzard has been found shot dead close to a beauty spot.

The bird of prey was found by a walker near Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant on the Shropshire border.

It was X-rayed by a local vet and found to have at least eight pellets in its body.

Police and the RSPB bird charity have warned that birds of prey are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and to kill or injure one is a criminal offence which could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months in jail.

Read more at 

Police investigation launched after red kites found dead

17th January

Pete Hughes

A POLICE investigation has been launched after five red kites, a raven and a buzzard were discovered dead in a village in Oxfordshire.

The birds were discovered by a family on Sunday, September 17, near the village of Pyrton, on the edge of the Chilterns, who reported them to the RSPB.

All the birds were recovered and X-rayed by a local vet. The X-rays revealed no signs of shot.

However, the birds have now been sent off for toxicology testing by Natural England as part of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS), to see if the birds have been poisoned.

All birds of prey and ravens are protected by UK law, making it illegal to kill or harm them. Those found to have done so could face six months in jail or an unlimited fine.

Thames Valley Police, Natural England and RSPB are now working together on a joint investigation and are appealing to the public for information.

If you have any information relating to this incident, call Thames Valley Police on 101.

With their six-foot wingspan, red kites are Britain’s third-largest bird of prey and feed mainly on carrion.

If you find a wild bird which you suspect has been illegally killed, contact RSPB Investigations on 01767 680551, email crime@rspb.org.uk or fill in the online form: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/our-positions-and-campaigns/positions/wildbirdslaw/reportform.aspx

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Buzzard off! Cyclist films his daily ride to work along a country lane where he faces a constant threat of aerial attack from a DIVE-BOMBING bird of prey

Aidan Williams is dive-bombed by a Buzzard bird every time he takes the route 

The bird is thought to be protecting a nest on the road near Sandon in Staffs

Aidan claims that he is only targeted when cycling alone down the quiet lane

By Samantha Mordi For Mailonline

PUBLISHED: 21:40, 31 July 2017 | UPDATED: 22:42, 31 July 2017

This is the moment a buzzard was captured dive-bombing a cyclist as he rides down a quiet country lane.

Cyclist, Aidan Williams claims he is regularly attacked every time he takes the route in Sandon, near Staffordshire.

In the video he can be seen cycling as he waits for the bird to make its daily swoop.

Read more and see video: 

Rare birds were poisoned say police

13:33Thursday 05 May 2016

Police have raised concerns after three birds of prey (1 Peregrine Falcon and 2 Buzzards) were found dead recently.

Following further testing it has been established that two of these birds died linked to Carbofuran poisoning and one found with Alpha chloralose poisoning.

A Peregrine Falcon was found dead at a quarry on the Glenhead Road in Ballymena on April 11 where a Peregrine Falcon was found shot dead in the same area back in 2012 and therefore PSNI requested the poison tests to be expedited.

A Buzzard was found dead at a forest in the Glenarm area on March 15th. Both birds were tested to determine the cause of death and it has been determined that both birds were subject to Carbofuran poisoning.

A third bird (Buzzard) was also reported dead on 29th March near Glenarm and tests have shown it was exposed to Alpha chloralose.

PSNI Wildlife Liaison Officer, Emma Meredith, said, “Poisons can have serious implications and reports such as this give rise to serious concerns. Poison generally is very dangerous and we would have particular concern over any poison but particularly over Carbofuran. We are disappointed that this continues to happen especially with such a dangerous substance, which could kill not only birds of prey but also, a child, family pet or any adult coming into contact with it. We would remind the public if there is a suspicion on any bird of prey to leave the bird/s and/or bait in situ and call the PSNI as soon as possible.

“If anyone has information about the death of these protected birds then we would be really keen to hear from you. The person responsible needs to be identified before other wildlife, domestic pets, or even humans come to harm.

“The PSNI, along with partner agencies (Agri-food and Biosciences Institute, Health and Safety Executive, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group, Royal Society for Protection of Birds), have been involved in the launch of Operation Raptor, designed to raise the profile of killing of birds of prey and to highlight known “hot spot” areas to combat this type of crime.

Read more: 

Bird of prey attacking members of the public along popular Furness walking route

19 April 2016 2:44PM

WALKERS are being warned about a swooping buzzard which has been targeting members of the public. 

A sign has been put up at the beginning of the Furness Railway line walk between Broughton and Coniston after a number of people have been attacked by a bird of prey. 

Andy Jackson was on the path on Saturday when his wife Toni was targeted by the buzzard. Mr Jackson, from Silecroft, said his wife, a Sellafield employee, was left with visible injuries after the bird swooped on her. 

"I was taking the dog for a walk and she was running, the bird just swooped down out of nowhere and attacked her, drawing blood on her head," Mr Jackson, a decorator, said. 

"Some of the people who came over after it happened said they've heard it's happened a few times, mainly to people who are jogging or running, and they've had to put a sign up warning people."

Louise Clews works in the Manor Arms pub in Broughton and said a number of people had been attacked by the bird in recent weeks. 

She said: "It has happened quite a few times, a lot of people in the village are talking about it, it's like Buzzardgate. 

"It only seems to be runners it has a problem with, maybe it's the lycra? But more than likely it's the running motion. 

"Apparently the buzzard has been here a while but it hasn't attacked people in previous years that we're aware of. But it's only runners it takes offence to, you're ok if you're just walking."

Wildlife expert and birdwatcher Joe Murphy, from Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said it was "very rare" for a bird of prey to attack a human. 

"I've never heard of anything like it," he said.

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£1,000 reward offered after birds of prey are killed in Peak District

By JBayley_DT  |  Posted: February 03, 2016

The RSPB is offering a £1,000 reward following the illegal killing of two birds of prey in Derbyshire.

A dead osprey was found near Glossop last September. A post mortem revealed that both its legs had been recently broken, injuries which were consistent with it being caught in a spring trap prior to its death.

Ospreys are rare visitors to the Peak District and this one would have been on migration to West Africa.

A few days later a buzzard was found shot dead close to Hurst Reservoir, close to where the osprey was found. This follows the shooting of another buzzard in the same area in March 2014.

RSPB Investigations Officer Alan Firth said: "Yet again, we are seeing the senseless killing of fantastic birds of prey in the National Park."

Last year, the RSPB published its annual Birdcrime Report 2014, which revealed Derbyshire as one of the worst places in the UK for bird of prey persecution. In 2014, the RSPB received 16 reports of bird of prey incidents in the county including a shot buzzard, a shot sparrowhawk and an illegally trapped goshawk.

Read more: 

This bird of prey had to be rescued after getting trapped by a fishing line

Oct 16, 2014 10:59

By Cathy Owen

A buzzard that got tangled in fishing line in a tree at Welsh country park has been rescued by the RSPCA.

The bird of prey was found with the fishing tackle wrapped around its wing, hanging over a lake in a tree, at the top of Gnoll Country Park at Mosshouse Reservoir, officers said on Thursday.

RSPCA inspector Neill Manley, who helped to rescue the bird, said: “This poor buzzard was completely tangled in the tree and was very distressed hanging there.

“Once removed from the tree, the bird was taken to Gower Bird Hospital where they hope it has a good chance of recovery.

“This incident certainly highlights the problems with fishing litter. We urge people to clean up their litter behind them in a responsible manner.”

The RSPCA is warning that every year fishing litter like hooks, weights and line causes injury and death to thousands of wild animals.

A statement said: “Line can wrap around necks causing deep wounds in flesh and cutting off the blood supply, hooks can pierce beaks or become embedded in skin, and weights can be swallowed causing internal injuries and blockages.”

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Suspected illegal trapping leads to death of bird of prey

by Andrew Robinson

Published on the 04 April 

POLICE are investigating after a buzzard was found injured in a trap near to a West Yorkshire reservoir.

The buzzard had to be put down by a vet after being found in a spring-loaded metal trap near Winscar Reservoir, near to Dunford Bridge, which is close to the border with South Yorkshire.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and police are appealing for information.

The bird of prey was discovered by walkers on February 21 2014, who noticed it flapping around in a stream, unable to fly.

When they approached, they found the bird had a large metal spring trap attached to its leg. After releasing it, they took it to local veterinary practice Abbey Vets who had to put the bird to sleep because its injuries were severe.

Less than a year old, the buzzard had been raised at nearby Dove Stone, an RSPB/United Utilities Partnership site, where as a chick it had been fitted with an identification ring in June last year by members of the Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group.

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Probe after birds of prey found

Police suspect the buzzard and red kites were victims of criminal activity

POLICE are investigating the deaths of birds of prey after six bodies were found over the last week.

Five red kites and a buzzard were found at various locations in Conon Bridge and Muir of Ord and officers suspect they were unlawfully killed.

Enquiries are being carried out into the deaths, which were reported between the 17th and 24th March.

DI Scott McDonald, who is leading the investigation, said at this time it was unclear as to what caused the deaths.

"Given all the circumstances and the close proximity of them being found we must assume at this stage some form of criminality," he added.

"I would ask anyone who has been working on the land or using the area for recreational purposes to contact us if they have seen anything suspicious that may be linked to this incident."

If anyone finds any further dead birds in the area they are asked to make a note of its location and inform the police and not to touch or attempt to recover any dead bird.

Anyone who has any information about the incident can contact Police on 101.

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Probe-after-birds-of-prey-found-25032014.htm

Shot buzzard could have suffered for days, say police and RSPB

Chris Hill

Friday, February 7, 2014 

3:38 PM

The wounded bird of prey was found by a member of the public and taken to Larwood and Kennedy Veterinary Practice in Dereham on January 2.

An x-ray examination revealed the buzzard had been shot, resulting in the bones in both wings being smashed. Vets believed the bird had been shot several days before it was found and, due to the extent of its injuries, it had to be put down.

Police are keen to trace the person who handed in the wounded bird, who did not leave a name, as they can help locate exactly where the buzzard was found.

Wildlife crime officer PC David Armstrong said: “Raptor persecution is treated very seriously by Norfolk Constabulary; it is illegal and is one of the UK priorities for wildlife crime.

Read on

Bird on a wire brings down power line, burns passing driver

TEXARKANA, AR (KSLA) -

A buzzard landing on a power line set off a chain of events Tuesday morning in Texarkana that left about 1,200 customers without power and one unsuspecting driver shaken and burned.

Jerry Cunningham says he was driving in the 1700 block of East 9th St. when he heard what sounded like an electrical transformer blowing and then saw power lines arcing in his direction.

The next thing he knew, something hit his car, cracking the windshield and sending sparks flying.

"I had all my windows and sunroof opened. That is where I got these burns from," Cunningham says, pointing to red welted streaks on his side. "It hurts like crazy."

AEP SWEPCO says the buzzard had landed on a ground wire and when that wire broke, it fell on a 12,000 volt transmission line.

Power was restored to customers about an hour later.

http://www.ksla.com/story/22859948/bird-on-a-wire-brings-down-power-line-burns-passing-driver

Buzzard attack sparks osprey conservation fears

SHOCKING footage of an attack on an osprey chick by a buzzard has emerged - sparking conservation fears.

The chick is one of only two hatched this year on the osprey nest at Lochter Estate, Aberdeenshire, and was almost snatched by the buzzard before falling to the ground.

Luckily, the chick survived with only injuries and is now recovering through SSPCA care.

A chick from the same nest was grabbed by a buzzard before being dropped to its death last year and this latest incident has led to calls for better measures to protect the species.

The estate's owner, Euan Webster, said was shocked at the recording: "“This footage is clear evidence that last year’s buzzard attack was far from being an isolated incident.

“It is a sign that working to conserve one iconic bird of prey while more common species which predate it breed unchecked is just not working.

“There were two healthy chicks until ten days ago when one chick “mysteriously” fell out of the nest - we have no video of its fall.

“Then on Sunday the remaining chick was attacked as can be seen in the video.

“One chick is with the SSPCA with a broken part of its wing while the other has been safely returned to the nest and is doing fine albeit the parent birds are constantly fighting off the pair of buzzards.

“This cannot be passed off as simply nature taking its course as humans have managed all types of bird for hundreds of years, we must now surely have a responsibility to continue this management in a way that is logical.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/scottishnews/5021479/Buzzard-attack-sparks-osprey-conservation-fears.html#ixzz2ZVSF73Xk

TURNDITCH: Dead buzzard had its beak bound

Published on 01/05/2013 11:24

Police in Derbyshire are investigating after a dead buzzard was found on land near Turnditch with its beak apparently bound.

Wildlife crime officers are working with the RSPB to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bird’s death.

It was found by a member of the public on Thursday, April 11 and appeared to have had a hole forced through its beak which had then been bound closed with twine.

Wildlife Crime Officer PC Emerson Buckingham said: “This bird was most probably alive when it was attacked and may have starved to death as it would have been unable to drink or eat with its beak bound.

“We continue to work with the RSPB to investigate the cause of the buzzard’s death.

“Any member of the public who finds dead birds of prey should contact police and are advised not to touch them.”

A number of poisoned buzzards were found nearby in Kirk Ireton in 2010.

Buzzards are a protected species and anyone caught harming or killing them could face a £5,000 fine or up to six months in prison.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call PC Buckingham on 101 or the RSPB on 0845 466 3636.

http://www.belpernews.co.uk/news/local/turnditch-dead-buzzard-had-its-beak-bound-1-5634376