Poachers attack oldest known falcon nest
Thursday, 7 August 2008
A tethered pigeon found near Glenarm peregrine nest.
TWO bird welfare organisations have condemned an incident in which a live pigeon was left as bait to kill peregrine falcons at one of the oldest known peregrine nests in the country at Glenarm.
A young peregrine from the nest has also gone missing and is suspected shot or poisoned.
The PSNI are also investigating the incident, which happened towards the end of last month.
The RSPB NI and the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG) have together hit out at the incident, which happened on the Dickeystown Road.
Peregrine surveyors from NIRSG discovered a live tethered pigeon beside the peregrine nest, which has been known to peregrine researchers since the 1950s, but probably existed long before recording began.
NIRSG surveyors confirmed that a single chick had fledged shortly before July 20, and was seen chasing and begging for food from the adult falcons. Later visits found only the adult birds and the gruesome discovery of the tethered pigeon was made last week.
Mr Brendan Dunlop, part of the NIRSG monitoring team said: "The chick disappearance happened at the same time as the pigeon bait, which may have been used to lure the falcons close enough to be shot or may have been laced with poisonous chemicals."
Mr Jim Wells, NIRSG chairman and peregrine researcher for over 30 years, condemned the loss, saying: "The fact that this activity has occurred at one of the longest known peregrine nests is devastating. The group has confirmed over 50 incidents of persecution during our peregrine studies and we suspect over a 100 more. There is no place in society for such illegal activity targeting raptors."
He continued: "We suspect these incidents are all linked to individuals within pigeon racing communities and their perception of peregrine falcon impacts on racing pigeons."
The NIRSG and RSPB NI have been working together to look at the long-term trends in the peregrine population, and are concerned that recent research suggests a decline in the peregrine population may be linked to persecution.
Dr James Robinson, Conservation Manager for RSPB Northern Ireland, said: "We welcome a meeting with pigeon racing associations in the autumn to discuss a way forward for addressing racing pigeon predation by peregrines."
Dr Marc Ruddock, a raptor researcher, added: "We know peregrines kill some racing pigeons. The falcons cannot distinguish between wild and racing pigeons, but pigeons are not the only prey; peregrines eat a wide range of other birds. The killing or attempted killing of peregrine falcons is not the way to resolve the issue."
The PSNI is investigating the incident and the tethered pigeon has been sent for forensic examination. This will include checking for the presence of poisonous chemicals.
Police Service Wildlife Liaison Officer, Emma Meredith, said: "Police are investigating a report that a live pigeon was tethered-down at the Glenarm peregrine site in order to attract larger birds of prey. Not only is this a very serious act of cruelty that must be condemned, but it is also illegal as it contravenes the Welfare of Animals Act with regard to ill-treatment and torture.
