Map of bird poisoning hotspots

The Scottish Government has produced a new map showing where birds of prey have been poisoned over the last five years. The map is the start of a new emphasis folllowing the shake up of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in Scotland, made up of the main interest groups including landowners.

The map shows 88 poisoning incidents (involving 132 birds of prey) spread over the whole of Scotland except the West Highlands, north Glasgow and the far North. RSPB Scotland explained this by saying that these areas were not major game rearing or grouse shooting areas, where gamekeeping activities have been linked with poisonings. However, the RSPB believes there may be many unreported cases because poisoned bird carcasses are often not found or reported.