Words fail me yet again!!!

Conservationists have condemned plans that would allow buzzard nests to be destroyed and the birds of prey taken into captivity to protect pheasant shoots. The Environment Department (Defra) is to spend up to £375,000 researching ways to keep buzzards from targeting captive-reared pheasants. Proposed methods include destroying nests to prevent birds breeding, catching and relocating [...]

Scottish gamekeeper guilty of wildlife crime after trapping owl

Scottish gamekeeper guilty of wildlife crime after trapping owl A Kirriemuir gamekeeper has admitted illegal trapping an owl in a cage trap. Robert Christie, 58, of Lindertis Estate, Airlie, pled guilty to the offence, which occurred in 2010, and was admonished at Forfar Sheriff Court. The tawny owl suffered an injury to its beak and [...]

Rural gangs linked to drug operations

Poaching and hare coursing gangs often linked with major drugs operations are behind most crimes against wildlife. In Cumbria last year, 363 wildlife crimes were reported to the police and of those 211 involved poaching, hare coursing and lamping – hunting animals at night with high-powered lights. In one incident at Sandysyke near Longtown, three [...]

Gamekeeper used live pigeon to lure other birds into his sights

Craig Barrie has failed in a bid to keep his gamekeeper licence after he was caught using a pigeon as a decoy. A gamekeeper caught using a live pigeon to lure other birds into his sights has failed in a bid to keep his job. Craig Barrie used a live pigeon as a decoy to [...]

Trying to connect with the common man/woman?

Lieutenant General Sir Barney White-Spunner, has been appointed Executive Chairman of the Countryside Alliance and Director of the Countryside Alliance Foundation with effect from 9th February. I’ve heard he is a binman and lives in a council flat, (not that there is anything wrong with that)  

Second Lanarkshire gamekeeper convicted of poisoning offences

A 63 year old man has today (12th January 2012) been convicted of possessing a highly toxic banned pesticide At Lanark Sheriff Court this afternoon, Cyril McLachlan was fined £635 after admitting to the possession of Carbofuran, a toxic pesticide banned in 2001. The gamekeeper, with 40 years experience, was arrested during an operation by [...]

Gamekeeper sentenced for poisoning buzzards

A gamekeeper who poisoned four buzzards has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service. David Whitefield, 45, admitted poisoning the birds with chloralose baits at Coulter Allers Farm, Biggar, between March and November 2009. Lanark Sheriff Court heard how he was caught after Scottish SPCA officers and police searched the farm. Sheriff [...]

Norfolk estate gamekeeper pleads guilty to animal cruelty charge

A Norfolk gamekeeper was told today he could be sent to prison after admitting causing a fight between two dogs and a fox. Christopher John Carter, 49, of The Burrows, in Gayton Thorpe, pleaded guilty at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court this afternoon to causing the fight between the animals in July 2009. Appearing alongside Carter [...]

Pensioner admits firearms and pesticides possession

A PENSIONER has admitted possessing illegal pesticides and firearms without a certificate on his farm. Allan Armistead, 74, appeared at Furness Magistrates’ Court today (6) charged with a string of offences concerning the illegal storing of pesticides, firearms and ammunition. Armistead pleaded guilty to seven counts of storing a pesticide, which included Strychnine, Cymag, Phosdrin [...]

Convicted poisoner (gamekeeper) is a member of Scottish Gamekeepers Association

There’ll be some red faces at the SGA today. After all the proclamations of Alex Hogg, Chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, who is on record as saying, “Professional gamekeepers do not poison raptors” (see here), it turns out that the gamekeeper David Alexander Whitefield, who today was convicted of poisoning four buzzards (see here), [...]