It was a beautiful day until I heard that the death toll of raptors on the Black Isle has risen to sixteen. It is probably much greater as these are the birds that have been found. So far there have been twelve Red Kites and four Buzzard. Six of which have been proven to have ingested poison. The RSPB have offered a £5000.00p reward for information leading to a conviction. They are being their normal mealy mouthed selves when it comes to releasing details that are pertinent. Who owns the land they were found on and what was the poison used? It is a sad state of affairs when Pheasants come before the lives of the big birds of prey. There ought to be a change in the law to make the landowners liable.
I was also saddened to find out the The Kambridges have pinched a couple of million of British money to tidy up their flat in Kensington Palace. Is this the acceptable face of benefit scrounging? I’ll ask Dithery Dave he must think so as he knows about the unacceptable face of it.
It must have been difficult for you. I once found a dead sea turtle and never knew what killed it.
ReplyDeleteMaria, I didn't find the dead bird. I just read about the problem. In Scotland they regard the raptors as a threat on the shooting estates. They destroy nests and birds, they are bad people.
DeleteYes, I totally agree with you. It is great the you can talk about, because I can't,
ReplyDeleteBob, it is a sad state of affairs when folk get pleasure from killing. The poverty stricken I can understand killing for food but game bird shooting should be banned.
DeleteAdrian, the RSPB can't be as bad as the RSPCA who, among other ridiculous things, spent a fortune prosecuting some poor woman who had given her cat paracetamol. The cat died, but the owner had meant well.
ReplyDeleteFrances, probably not but they don't do a very good job at trying to be.
DeleteIt is a bit daft giving an animal paracetamol but not criminal. Just like National Hunt racing isn't criminal. I would prefer to see jockeys and punters use motorbikes for their entertainment. Nature does need to be managed but culling for management demands more precision than the average sports shooter has either the brain or ability for.
I share that sense of sadness whenever I hear of the death of precious creatures - like the birds of prey you highlighted. What are your views on the ConDem badger cull? Personally I think that Labour should use this to their advantage - continuously labelling the ConDems - The Badger Killers.
ReplyDeleteYP, I'm a country man. If Red Kites threatened a farmers livelihood then cull. Red Deer are a pain but are not a threat to farmers.
DeleteI like Badgers, they snuffle about and cause little harm. They do dig big holes and bite dogs but they are fine. I think the Badger cull was a mistake but then I think that Cameron was a mistake; hadn't his father heard of condoms. He does love himself but shouldn't be left in charge of a fork lift truck never mind a country.
PS. Morribund is totally useless and just out for position. I would vote for the Beast of Bolsover. He has conviction. I'll probably vote by ticking all three boxes. There isn't a candidate that appeals.
DeleteThat is heartbreaking. Some people don't give as much as a second thought to what they do sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHilary, we live in a country that the wealthy own. They are boring and get bored so shoot for kicks. Naughty people.
DeleteGlad for the location info as I am a bit vague on your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteTragic about the birds.
Gillian, poisoning raptors is an all too familiar occurrence. This has to be one of the worst cases though.
DeleteVery tragic but whether they ever will be the cause (or want) to find?
ReplyDeleteBas, I suspect they will find the perpetrator. Whether anything happens to him or her remains to be seen.
DeleteI read about these raptor poisonings on the Scottish Raptor Persecution site.
ReplyDeletehttp://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/
The victims have all been recovered from a very small area near Conon Bridge. Why people see fit to poison, hunt, snare and kill any animal is beyond me.
We share the planet; not own it.
I lived in the country too for a few years. The 'country' was great. It's just the majority of humans that live there that spoil it.
Keith, it is not good. There are plenty of Pheasants for both birds and the morons who get pleasure from their slaughter.
DeleteI appreciate the maps you show since I'm not familiar with the area. Now the power pole in the water is puzzling?
ReplyDeleteRed, the power cable follows the road but here it cuts the corner. This is a sea loch so is tidal. It's on land at low water.
DeleteHi Adrian Yes indeed this is sad news. Like you say there are plenty of Pheasants to go around without these killings. We are all responsible on this earth to LOOK AFTER the animals, not kill them for our own pleasure.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, there can only be a few culprits to choose from. It doesn't say much for the police if they can't find the guilty party.
DeleteAbsolutely vile it gets my blood boiling sadly there is no point in moaning to a tory about it it's in there blood, they think they have dominion over everything. maybe things will improve with an independent Scotland but I doubt....why is the post so far in the loch?
ReplyDeleteooops I just read Red's comment ref:pole
DeleteDouglas, It isn't about moaning to Tories they are a law unto themselves. It is about prosecuting the law of the land.
Deleteso beautiful this fyord, can I say fiord? I love when the sea come into the coast as in your photo and in your map. Please don't stop to photographing for us. Such for a nice, pageful, great landscape!
ReplyDeleteLaura, yes they are fjords but here we call them lochs. It's a bit wet and dull but I'll try for some more pictures today.
DeleteGood views!!!
ReplyDeletea hug.
Gracias Laura.
Delete