Small increase in recorded crimes against birds of prey
Recorded crimes such as poisonings and shootings against birds of prey in Scotland have increased, according to new data.
Recorded crimes such as poisonings and shootings against birds of prey in Scotland have increased, according to new data.
The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland revealed there were 20 crimes against raptors in 2015, up on 18 the previous year.
Six of the birds targeted were poisoned. There were also five shootings, five cases of disturbance - two relating to ospreys - three trapping or attempted trapping offences and one chick theft.
The protected species involved include buzzards, red kites, peregrine falcons, goshawks, osprey and a hen harrier.
PAW Scotland has published a new map showing the crime locations and a further map showing the sites of poison baits.
The incidents are mainly concentrated in central and southern Scotland as well as some in the countryside to the south of Inverness.
Environment minister Dr Aileen McLeod said the increase, while small, was "disappointing''.
She said: "I want to be clear that wildlife crime is not acceptable in a modern Scotland and this is why we are doing all we can to end the illegal killing of birds of prey and working in partnership with stakeholders to achieve that.
"Scotland already has the strongest wildlife legislation in the UK and last month I accepted proposals from the wildlife crime penalties review group to introduce tough new maximum penalties for those who commit crimes against wildlife.
"This sends out a clear message to those who commit crimes against birds of prey - that this will not be tolerated.''
Ian Thomson, RSPB Scotland's head of investigations, said the latest figures show any claims of a decline in the illegal killing of raptors are "wholly without foundation''.
He added: "A growing weight of peer-reviewed scientific research gives clear evidence that the persecution of golden eagles, peregrines and hen harriers is widespread in many upland areas of eastern and southern Scotland.
"It is long overdue that the criminal targeting of protected raptors was consigned to history.''
Tim Baynes, director of the Scottish Moorland Group for landowner body Scottish Land & Estates, said the annual variations are "very small''.
He said: "Poisoning incidents are now 40% down on four years ago and now stand at six cases across the whole of Scotland. The 2015 figures show that the numbers of birds shot has roughly halved over the last three years.
"We reiterate our condemnation of any raptor crime, whatever the reason, and will continue to work with other PAW Scotland partners to try to ensure that it will become a thing of the past.''