Bird suffered 'agonising death' after being poisoned with banned pesticide

A protected red kite suffered an “agonising death” after being poisoned by a banned pesticide.

A dog walker called the RSPB Scotland after finding the bird dead on the ground near a popular woodland walking trail close to farmland in Spinningdale, near Dornoch, in April.

The bird was collected and sent for a post-mortem and toxicology analysis, which showed Carbofuran poisoning to be the cause of death.

Police Scotland searched the area where the bird was found, but no evidence was discovered that would allow them to identify a suspect.

According to the latest Birdcrime report released last month, there were 159 poisoning incidents involving birds of prey between 2009-2024 in Scotland.

Out of all UK counties, the Highland area had the second highest number of confirmed incidents of raptor persecution during the same 15-year period.

Ian Thomson, RSPB Investigations Manager, said: “We are very grateful to the person that found this dead kite for reporting it to us.

“It is appalling that individuals are still using this poison, decades after it was banned, and this bird will have suffered an agonising and horrific death.

“Carbofuran is a highly toxic substance and is one of several banned pesticides still used by criminals targeting birds of prey or other protected wildlife. Its possession or use is illegal, and placing it out in the open poses a potentially deadly and indiscriminate risk not only to wildlife but to people and pets.

“We ask anyone using the area to be vigilant if they find anything suspicious, don’t touch, but do take photos and report to Police Scotland immediately on 101.”

If you notice a dead or injured bird of prey in suspicious circumstances, call Police Scotland on 101 and fill in the RSPB’s online reporting form: www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wild-bird-crime-report-form

If you have information about anyone killing birds of prey which you wish to report anonymously, call the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.

It is a crime to kill or attempt to kill a bird of prey, and anyone caught doing so faces a fine or even jail.