A ministerial attempt to prevent sparrowhawks from killing homing pigeons has ended as an embarrassing fiasco, according to the Sunday Herald. The intensely controversial trial in which sparrowhawks were trapped and taken away from pigeon lofts has proved nothing because the number of birds involved was so small and the data was so unreliable. SRSGs have consistently objected to the legal basis for this trial and several articles have previously featured on these web pages. The final report of the trial has now been published and can be seen at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/15105533/0. The report concluded that "The main aim of the trial was to explore the effectiveness of the two different management options at reducing the frequency of Sparrowhawk attacks on racing pigeons in the immediate loft area. It was not possible to draw such conclusions with the observational data derived from this particular trial however. This was largely due to issues arising from insufficient samples sizes (numbers of lofts taking part), issues over experimental design (which were compounded by the small sample sizes) and the limited amounts of observational data collected at the lofts. For a rigorous scientific trial, observers would need to be trained more formally and/or provided with fuller guidance on how to make observations of attacks, and any factors associated with these and their outcome, and an element of independent validation of observations would also be good practice." In November 2007, the then environment minister, Michael Russell, decided to conduct an experiment to see if trapping and relocating sparrowhawks would protect the pigeons. The idea was opposed as ineffective by the government’s wildlife advisers, and was delayed in 2008. The Herald suggests that the £25,000 trial eventually went ahead, and ran from January to April 2009. It suggests that "attempting to bring together the Scottish Homing Union, which represents 3,500 pigeon-fanciers, and the government’s conservation agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, was dogged by strife over its scientific methods. Rob Edwards also suggests that the final report, which was originally due out last year, was delayed for months while they argued behind the scenes over how to interpret the results. The main problem was that so little data had been gathered. Amongst the criticisms of the study was the “high variability” in the number of observed attacks by sparrowhawks, and none of the comparisons between control methods were statistically significant. It was even impossible to be sure of the long-term heath of the relocated sparrowhawks because the batteries in their tracking devices only lasted nine days. The Scottish government accepted that the trial had not proved anything. “No conclusive data was found on whether relocation of sparrowhawks is an effective way of reducing predation in racing pigeons,” said a government spokeswoman. “The Scottish government will continue to work with the Scottish Homing Union to find solutions to the predation problem. The government has no plans for further research involving the trapping or translocation of raptors.” For a full report on this story see http://www.robedwards.com/2010/01/bid-to-protect-pigeons-from-hawks-ends-in-fiasco.html Whilst Edwards estimates the cost of this study as £25,000, it is probably double that. The previous study into this general problem concluded in 2004 and cost something of the order of £120,000 - see http://www.snh.org.uk/press/detail.asp?id=879. We regard this latest study as a complete waste of public money.

Tayside Police have at last released a press release regarding the investigation of the death of a white-tailed eagle found on 6 August 2009 on the Glenogil Estate in Angus. They claim that extensive police enquiries have already been carried out after tests confirmed that the bird was illegally poisoned with banned agricultural pesticides. Nearly 6 months on from the initial discovery they are now appealing to the public for information. The sea eagle was one of the 15 donated by Norway to Scotland in June 2008 as part of the ongoing East of Scotland White-tailed Eagle Release Project, a partnership between RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland. The birds had been met off the plane by the then Minister for Environment Michael Russell MSP and this bird was later released along with the others from a secret location in Fife. It is hoped that 100 young Norwegian eagles will be released over this period. Whilst most of the released white-tailed eagles have thrived, there have been several serious incidences of wildlife crime involving this species in Tayside. The poisoned bird is likely to have ingested bait laced with banned agricultural pesticides that were deliberately set out. The poisons used have been confirmed after analysis by the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency. Detective Inspector Ally Waghorn, in charge of the investigation, said, “It is an absolute disgrace that the use of pesticides to kill what are seen by some as pest species continues in Scotland. There is also a real risk to any hill walker who might encounter and handle poisoned bait. I’d appeal to anyone who has any information about the incident, or any other illegal use of pesticides against wildlife, to contact the police. “ This is the second White-tailed Eagle to be poisoned in this area and Tayside Police also previously issued a press release regarding a Golden Eagle which was killed on the same estate. The multi-millionaire owner of the estate John Dodd is reported as denying that his estate had anything to do with the poisonings - see http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/153665. The Minister of the Environment Roseanna Cunningham has also issued a press release suggesting - “Our wildlife is precious and needs our protection, which is why I support the work of Tayside police in fighting to tackle this despicable crime against our natural heritage. Their continuing efforts will help result in a safer Scotland for sea eagles and other birds of prey.” The Minister perhaps needs to ask some questions as to why Tayside Police has been so slow in seeking public support for what is a high profile crime with a high degree of public interest. Complaints and representations have previously been made to Tayside Police by estate owners and agencies acting on their behalf, regarding wildlife crime investigations and associated adverse publicity. These tactics are designed to muddy the waters and stall investigations - such tactics are commonly used by many high profile criminals against the police and it appears they have now crept into the wildlife crime arena. Police forces need to be robust in the defence of their investigative processes and ensure that any such tactics to not delay the due process of law, especially when cases have such a high degree of public interest. Unfortunately the police have a poor reputation for resolving high profile investigations of this nature, and this particular case will unfortunately do little to enhance this. RSPB Scotland has issued a strong statement which SRSGs fully endorse - http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-239540. Anyone with information relating to this incident is urged to contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 or speak to any police officer. Calls can also be made in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The current period of prolonged cold weather has been described as the worst in 30 years. In parts of the west of Scotland, normally milder because of the effects of the gulf stream, some are describing the prolonged frosts as the worst experienced since the 1950's. This has led to general advice being issued in respect of WeBS counts and also in regard to feeding birds. Hard weather can accentuate most kinds of mortality in birds but what is the effect on raptors? Obviously food will be more difficult to obtain and may force birds to move. According to Brian Etheridge, Red Kites have dispersed from some of their roosts in the Black Isle which would account for several sightings on Skye and birds also turning up on the Uists. Ian Todd took several images in the Gallery of a Buzzard at Catrine in Ayrshire, possibly attempting to catch fish in a stream. Obviously as other birds are affected by mortality it may provide food for raptors and this is certainly the case with mortality in sheep and deer, with obvious benefits for both species of Eagles. According to Ian Newton, hard weather has less effect on raptors than on most other species and following the extreme winter of 1962/63, of the 15,000 birds found in Britain only nine were raptors. However in Germany in 1939/40 starved Buzzards were found all over the country. Unfortunately food shortages may force birds nearer human settlements and they may become vulnerable to shooting and accidents. The impact of the weather on prey populations may well have an impact on breeding performance and that may only be revealed following monitoring of breeding performance in the coming season. In the meantime it is important to try and monitor any behavioural changes as a result of the current spell of bad weather and also to keep a note of any mortality. In regard to feeding birds, the RSPB has issued the following six-point wild bird winter survival plan that will help wildlife during the harshest weather: 1. Put out feed regularly, especially in severe weather. Set up a bird table and use high calorie seed mixes. A good alternative would be kitchen scraps such as hard animal fats [suet">, grated cheese and porridge oats. 2.Put out hanging feeders containing black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, sunflower-rich mixes or unsalted peanuts. 3.Ensure a supply of fresh water every day. If it is very cold use tepid water but DO NOT use any antifreeze products. 4.Put out fruit, such as apples and pears, for blackbirds, song thrushes and other members of the thrush family. 5.Food bars or fat hung up or rubbed into the bark of trees is a great help for treecreepers, goldcrests and many other species. 6.Put up nest boxes to provide shelter for the smaller birds. They may well be used for breeding later in the year. There is also advice on water birds at http://www.bto.org/home/cold_weather_and_waterbirds.html