Legislation to allay raptor death fears near Tomatin
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AN area of the Highlands named the Bermuda Triangle for birds of prey is about to come under closer government scrutiny.
The area around the A9 at Tomatin where rare species are known to have gone missing will be highlighted in a soon-to-be-published review of grouse moor management, called the Werrity Report.
The area is renowned as recording a much higher than average number of protected birds of prey going missing.
The Werrity Report was commissioned by the Scottish Government to investigate the environmental impact of grouse moor management practices such as muirburn fires, the use of medicated grit and mountain hare culls, and advise the government on the option of licensing grouse shooting businesses.
The report is likely to be published before parliament breaks for Christmas.
Ian Thomson, investigations manager at RSPB Scotland, hopes it will bring about a change in legislation.
He said: “We need to have a statutory licensing system that is linked to best practice in Scotland.
“The area of grouse land around Tomatin is of great concern to us, due to the high number of protected species of birds of prey such as golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and hen harriers that simply go missing in this area.”
Mr Thomson said that so many birds go missing, the area has gained itself the nickname the Bermuda Triangle.
“It is time for regulation, and we hope the Werrity Report will bring forward statutory requirements that have tougher regulations,” he said. “If these regulations are not met then the licence to hold a grouse shoot would be withdrawn.”
Logan Steele, of the Scottish Raptor Study Group, said: “We have no real legislation that can prosecute or sanction landowners or workers.
“We have been told of residents in the Tomatin area who are being intimidated by landowners and workers in a fuedal-type manner, so they cannot speak out about illegal practice. The law needs to be tightened up, and we are relying on the Werrity Report to bring forward proposals.”
