The number of Scottish birds of prey being killed with poison in has increased. Last year 22 poisoning incidents were recorded by Police resulting in 27 dead birds of prey, including 19 buzzards, four red kites and two golden eagles.

Scotland’s Environment Minister Rosanna Cunningham said the figures were a “wake-up call” to those who thought such poisonings were on the wane.

The highest number of incidents were Tayside, where nine poisonings recorded. Five birds were killed in Lothian and Borders, three in Strathclyde and three in the Highlands. The most common type of poison used to kill the animals was carbofuran. In 2005 there were 17 birds killed, 34 in 2006, 27 in 2007, 16 in 2008 and 27 in 2009.

The RSPB have stated that the number of incidents recorded probably represents just a fraction of the true number of illegal poisonings.

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