• The nocturnal killing of a trapped buzzard?
    By Ian Thomson, Head of Investigations Scotland On Thursday 10 January 2019, RSPB Scotland Investigations staff found a buzzard flying around in a large crow cage trap on a grouse moor in South Lanarkshire...
  • Stopping illegal poisoning – just what will it take?
    Today another conviction at court for the illegal keeping of pesticides (along with firearms offences) once again highlights the problems of trying to establish who was actually responsible for the poisoning...
  • Cage traps in the spotlight across the UK
    At the end of this month a gamekeeper from Nottinghamshire will be sentenced for several offences including the intentional killing of two common buzzards which were caught in a crow cage trap during...
  • Spring traps and grouse moors - a bridge too far?
    A range of environmental concerns have been raised about land intensively managed for driven grouse shooting and RSPB is calling for a licensing system to promote accountability and good practice. A recent...
  • Lowland shoots and poison – a toxic situation
    By Tom Grose, RSPB Investigations Officer On 16 February 2023, Dorset gamekeeper Paul Allen received a 15 week prison sentence (suspended for 12 months) at Weymouth Magistrates Court, Dorset after pleading...