Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorich

Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorich

Friday 4 June 2010

Moy Estate raided

Police have raided the Moy Estate near Inverness following the discovery of poisoned birds of prey in the area. Several red kites had been killed and a grouse carcass had tested positive for an illegal poison.

Forty five investigators including 25 police officers, SSPCA and RSPB staff, wildlife conservation officers and SNH staff took part in the raid.

RSPB Scotland reported that one of the dead kites had been among a number of birds of prey which had been satellite tagged for a school project called 'Eyes to the Skies'. The signal, which was being tracked on the internet, stopped moving and this raised suspicions. (Source: BBC Scotland News)

Anyone found guilty of this appalling act should receive the harshest sentence available.

Later this year Carbon Free Developments are due to submit an application to erect 55 wind turbines on Moy no doubt bringing substantial financial reward to the owner of the estate, if, as seems likely, it is approved.

10 comments:

CF Rich said...

That is outrageous! What would be the gain in poisoning birds? I just can't understand that! Thank goodness for the school project.

As for the turbines well that's another matter, they're in the process of erecting a farm near the M62/M18 junction (I know - not a place of natural beauty but within a mile of an RSPB site) but these things are designed for offshore use and can be seen for miles. Those that are up on the site have been up some time and I've not seen a blade turn as yet! I can't help but wonder if these windfarms are more of an attempt to show the nation that we are going green rather that actually doing it. Sorry for the rant.

afootinthehills said...

I agree entirely with your view on turbines. It's an easy way for Governments to appear to be 'green' by doing something visible even if they are largely ineffective. We have one farm of 18 turbines in the Ochils and hardly a blade turned all winter. Another is under construction, again in the Ochils.

I assume the Moy Estate believes that birds of prey take young grouse which they think adversely affects their revenue from shooting activities. It's complete drivel of course.

Thanks for your comments - rant all you like here about turbines!

Byeways said...

Amazing that the raptors and game birds managed to live in some kind of balance long before shooting estates came along. All the evidence is that birds of prey, like all predators in the wild, don't kill their own food supply to extinction.

It's time to follow the chain of command to the top and prosecute the landowners; jail them if it's warranted.

afootinthehills said...

Exactly so. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. It's good to know that somebody reads my occasional scribblings!

AlanR said...

Your occasional scribblings are always enlightening and very enjoyable. I'm with you on your comments.

afootinthehills said...

Alan
Thanks for your comment. I do despair sometimes over what is happening up here. I think two people from Moy Estate are also being questioned about firearms issues, although I've not heard any more on that.

Alan Sloman said...

This estate is seemingly well known for this behaviour. At last they are being investigated and let's hope an example is made of them if they are found to be guilty.
Can you keep us in touch with developments?
Thanks.

afootinthehills said...

Alan - I'll certainly keep you informed of developments.

Keith said...

I hope they go down hard! There can be no excuse for poisoning wildlife.
Regards.

afootinthehills said...

Le Loup - Welcome. Unfortunately they are not the only estate which is involved in this sort of thing. However at least several landowners have taken the trouble to sign an open letter denouncing this illegal and despicable practice.