Red Kite shot in Wicklow

dodgyme

A new low. This is reported in all of todays newsparpers. A REd kite recewntly released found shot dead. If I could get a hold of who did it, I would kick the living f*ck outta them. :mad:

Kess73

There is a remarkable level of ignorance in this country towards animals. By all accounts it is a pretty harmless bird that mostly feeds on carrion.

megadodge

Absolutely livid when I saw this.
A completely harmless bird. There's no even semi-justifiable reason for what happened.

I just hope the person who did it is found and jailed (yes that's right JAILED) to show how serious this type of thing is taken, but we all know that ain't gonna happen.

Alun

Here's a link to the story ...

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0829/breaking44.htm

I can't believe that they don't have a pretty good idea who did it though seeing as it was found dead on farmland. The farmer who owned the landwould be the prime suspect, I'd say. Still, this being Ireland, it'll probably be treated less than seriously, and I can't imagine the Gardai being arsed to do anything about it. Does Ireland even have specialist Wildlife Police Officers like they do in some parts of the UK, for example?

doctor evil

Oh come on!, farmers and land owners support the re-intoduction or Red Kites.

I imagine its a sign post shooter who is definatley not a member of a shooting club.

Alun

doctor evil wrote:

Oh come on!, farmers and land owners support the re-intoduction or Red Kites.

Every single, solitary one of them, without question or reservations? It's possible, I suppose, but human nature being what it is, i.e. unpredictable, I wouldn't be so sure myself. Anyway, I still reckon the chances of us ever finding out, or of it being investigated seriously by the Gardai is pretty slim.

magicbastarder

there's probably very little to investigate, though.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

As someone who was involved in the re-introduction programme, I can assure you that there was full support from all landowners in the area. This shooter could have been any of a number of individuals who have access to the lands and shotguns. As someone said " a signpost shooter", it could be someone who took a potshot while out hunting. It's unlikely we'll ever know but I'd bet against it being a landowner.

BTW: The gardaí are taking it very seriously, but there's very little evidence to go on at the moment.

dodgyme

srameen - can you please update us on any developments. I would love to see the culprit pasted.

dogmatix

This does not bode well for the introduction of those eagles down in kerry (or was it Donegal?) - espcially as some landowners there objected to their introduction. Some people just don't seem to like birds of prey. Does anyone remember that pair of falcons that where resident in the (I think) Gasometer in Dublin about 15 years ago? They got poisoned - the most likely culprits they said where pigeon fanciers.

No matter how important or worthwhile any wildlife project is there will always be someone who will spoil it or try to.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Ah Dogmatix! I love your positive outlook on life!

Alun

Just thought some of you might be interested in this article I found in our local rag, the 'Wicklow Times' ... scanned in and converted to PDF.

colmranger

Alun wrote: »

Just thought some of you might be interested in this article I found in our local rag, the 'Wicklow Times' ... scanned in and converted to PDF.

Alun,

Really appreciate you going to that effort.

Thanks very much!

Alun

colmranger wrote: »

Alun,

Really appreciate you going to that effort.

Thanks very much!

No problem .. the computer did most of it BTW I've uploaded a new version, as I discovered a few small spelling errors due to the scan not being 100%.

doctor evil

There was a small article in the Irish Times earlier on in the week about it.

boneless

I suppose the silver lining in the cloud around the Leitrim red kite saga is that they are spreading out... that is to be welcomed.

Baron_Kunkel

Presumably it was a shotgun so there would be no physical evidence to chase up on by the Gardai unless the cartridge case was ejected at the scene and even then its quite ropy evidence.

liberty 2007

Hi
Anyone any suggestions on how to persuade gun club members that the buzzard is not a treat to the pheasant numbers, as I'm pretty sure they're shooting them. (not the pheasants) Unfortunatly, reporting them is'nt the answer.

John Griffin

The buzzard feeds mainly on carrion, I have worked on Buzzards and been to a number of nests and recorded the contents with Damian Clarke ( Red Kite reintroduction manager). The nest are always full of carcasses caught by the Buzzards, they seem to hunt more during the nesting season. Damian has the records but basically i don't ever recall finding a pheasant in a nest, the norm was young rabbits, rats, mice and frogs. There is no doubt that a buzzard will eat a pheasant, but i deal with some driven shoots and the keepers don't mind the buzzards on the shoots, they say they only take dying or dead birds, the Gamekeepers dont shoot the buzzards. I have been in several gun clubs and the problem is just with a few who reckon they know it all and that anything that has the potential to kill a pheasant must die, I've been trying to change these guys for years, some will listen, the others you just have to report. If they think they risk losing their gun and their sport then that normally concentrates the mind, cos for them guys the only thing worse than a Buzzard killing a pheasant is them not being able to kill a pheasant. I must stress that there is a very small minority of guys that behave this way, but they mess it up for all of us. Best of luck.

Nerin

its mad how people can do such damage to irelands wildlife. just look at the amount of species we had long ago and look at the species becoming endangered now... and it must be especially horrible that they were birds that were reintroduced. shame on the culprit. what a fool.

ballinagee boy

Hi all... I'm new here and came across this thread while browsing. I live in Wicklow, up near the Gap. I have had three sightings of kites in the last few weeks when I was home. Lovely birds!!

Alun

ballinagee boy wrote: »

Hi all... I'm new here and came across this thread while browsing. I live in Wicklow, up near the Gap. I have had three sightings of kites in the last few weeks when I was home. Lovely birds!!

Going by your name, I'd guess that'd be down by Ballinagee Bridge, right? Might take a wander over there some time if that's right.

ballinagee boy

Spot on... but I'm a few miles from the bridge. I just love the name!! I actually saw them up on the side of Carrignaguneen. Do you know it?

Alun

ballinagee boy wrote: »

Spot on... but I'm a few miles from the bridge. I just love the name!! I actually saw them up on the side of Carrignaguneen. Do you know it?

Yes, I know it well .. don't think I've ever actually been to the top of it, but have certainly walked through the forest that surrounds it on the way up to Mullaghcleevaun.

ballinagee boy

It's a great spot for merlins too. I have heard reports of hen harriers there too but have not seen any myself. I'm in college in Cork at the moment and only get home once or twice a month at the moment!! I miss it!!

boneless

ballinagee boy wrote: »

It's a great spot for merlins too. I have heard reports of hen harriers there too but have not seen any myself. I'm in college in Cork at the moment and only get home once or twice a month at the moment!! I miss it!!

I have seen harriers down in the valley, near the Kings River, all right. Good tip on the kites. Are you familiar with Templeteenaun?

Silly question... you must be if you know the "Rock of the Rabbits"....