Rfalconcam Forum

More heartbreaking news about Irish Peregrines. A day after new laws came into effect in the Republic, a bird is shot in Northern Ireland. Once again, pigeon-fanciers are blamed, tho wild-fowlers are also cited. I find it hard to fathom that a shooter would not know the difference between a duck or a goose and a bird of prey. If they don't, they have no business with a hunting licence!

With such a mess on my own doorstep, I am sure you wonder why I would highlight Malta!


North police appeal over falcon shooting
 
19/10/2010 - 13:35:38 (breakingnew.ie)

A peregrine falcon was fatally injured by a shotgun blast in the latest in a series of attacks on birds of prey in the North, it emerged today.

Police appealed for information on the shooting after the bird was found injured on the Craigaroddan Road in Portaferry.

The wounded bird was taken to a vet by a member of the public, but it was put down after shotgun pellets were found in one of its wings.

Police warned that those responsible for the Co Down attack faced court if they were identified, but an Assembly member said the incident was the “tip of the iceberg”.

The RSPB said attacks on birds of prey was a serious problem. The DUP’s Jim Wells, who is a member of a protection group monitoring the North’s 71 pairs of peregrines, said there had been a number of incidents targeting those birds in particular.

“There have been two incidents this autumn alone,” said Mr Wells.

“Quite clearly some of these are mis-identification, but some of these are direct persecution.

“These are the cases we know of, but other birds of prey could be lying in an open field or shot on moorland.

“This is the tip of the iceberg.”

Mr Wells blamed what he described as rogue elements in pigeon fancying circles in other parts of the North for attacks on bird of prey, but he thought the Portaferry incident was likely to have been a mistaken or accidental shooting by wildfowlers.

“There is a conflict between birds of prey and pigeon fancying. The birds of prey are blamed for killing pigeons and some mindless people take revenge on these magnificent birds,” he said.

“That is the single biggest problem in Northern Ireland.

“What we need is to see one of these individuals brought before the courts.”

Police said the peregrine falcon was found injured on Saturday.

A spokesman said: “Wildlife forms an important part of our natural heritage. Birds of prey are protected by law within the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 and are afforded the highest level of wildlife protection. Anyone with information regarding the persecution of protected wildlife should come forward as doing so will help make sure those responsible go before the courts.”

We need a road trip to "Take Care of Business". Poor Peregrines.

The way things are these days, Donna Girl, we're gonna have to pack a lot of toothpaste. Because it will be one loooong trip.

Let me know when you're going.     >:(

I'm packed.

Yeah but your coming here!  :wave:

 :no: :heart:

A politician whose private passion is racing pigeons has defended his sport against claims that members had killed birds of prey.

Progressive Unionist Party member Ken Wilkinson spoke out over claims that "rogue elements" attacked birds that pose a risk to pigeons.

The debate on protecting birds of prey was sparked after a wounded Peregrine Falcon had to be put down when shotgun pellets were found in one of its wings.

The discovery of the injured bird in Portaferry saw South Down DUP representative and wildlife activist Jim Wells say that while accidental shootings by wildfowlers caused the death of some birds of prey, attacks from an element among pigeon fanciers was also to blame for incidents in other parts of Northern Ireland.

The competing interests of pigeon racers and wildlife groups is a long-running issue across Ireland, north and south, and in Britain.

Mr Wilkinson, a member of the Northern Ireland Amalgamation of Racing Pigeons, called for renewed discussions between the two groups, but he also defended his sport.

"When you make this allegation, you have to present the proof," he said.

He said he was involved in talks on the issue at Queen's University, Belfast, with experts including Mr Wells, who is a member of a group monitoring and studying birds of prey.

Mr Wells had not criticised the majority of responsible pigeon breeders, but blamed a minority for launching unnecessary attacks on birds of prey.

Mr Wilkinson said the hundreds of pigeon racing clubs involved in the local sport wanted to see birds of prey fed in areas that cover the flight lines of races, or to have birds such as peregrine falcons released in regions where pigeon racing is less common.

:viking:

Bobitize them BC! :gum: