West coast Scotland, Kintyre

As we all agree it did not die of old age I suggested it could be poisoned or shot and could be the victim of a wildlife crime and as such needs reporting. Itisadunnock seems to think poison and while not disagreeing with that I wondered how he could reach that conclusion from the data given as it may be useful to me in the future. I hope this sorts your confusion out Linda although now I've just written it I'm confused too

The original poster WildgeeseWest wrote -

By the Glenbarr river, not able to fly away but bounced away slightly when I approached, gently, to capture on phone camera. 

The bird could have been poisoned by

1. ingesting shot that was used on a dead carcass where the bird in question has fed upon

2. Ingesting poison purposely injected into a dead carcass by gamekeepers (and the like) where the bird in question has fed upon

3. Being shot and suffering a fall - that would explain its dishevelled look - where the consequences would be tissue trauma and the poisoning effects of shot

or the bird could have been

4. Hit by a vehicle - not posioned

5. The victim of a territorial dispute with another bird (or animal) and suffering lethal wounding

So if anyone can determine which one event actually happened just from that original description and photograph then I would like to understand how.

Thanks all ;-)
I guess it will just remain a guessing game for now unless the original poster returns with some sort of update!!

No problem Pete - just trying to ascertain whether I missed something relevant in the original post, or subsequent posts, that would point to any perceived evidence.

It's an interesting thread though.

Another to add to the possibility list .....Died from exhaustion, mental trauma or starvation.....just a thought...wish I had taken note of the OPs email then maybe we could have had some more communication with them

we don’t know the cause of his death but I have given him or her the number for the RSPB Investigations team since they would be interested and it should come in handy 

Edinburgh office - 0131-317-4100

Ian Thomson (mobile) - 07887-596004. Email: ian.thomson@rspb.org.uk

Elsie Ashworth (mobile) - 07803-955204. Email: elsie.ashworth@rspb.org.uk

James Leonard (mobile) - 07841-804672. Email: james.leonard@rspb.org.uk

Not sure if you noticed Zo but you have already posted all that information on the last page...the original poster hasn't returned so nothing more can be done from us

 Sorry.  I forgot.