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Nest robbery
In 2008, the RSPB received reports of five confirmed and 17 probable nest robberies, all involving Schedule I species.
Nest robbery takes two main forms:
- the taking of eggs for egg collecting purposes
- the taking of eggs or nestlings for falconry or bird keeping purposes.
The peregrine has been a traditionally targeted bird for nest robberies, prized both by egg collectors and illegal falconers. Of the 17 probable nest robberies recorded in 2008, 15 of these involved the eggs or chicks of peregrines being stolen.
These figures are worrying and, we believe, are an early indication of a trend that will now emerge following peregrines being effectively removed from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Schedule 4 is the list of birds that, if held in captivity, must be ringed and registered with Defra. As a result of the changes to Schedule 4, since 1 October 2008 peregrines and merlins held in captivity are now considered to be 'registered' if an A10 certificate has been issued. This effectively means that once those birds are sold, they will disappear and the government will not be able to trace them – making the laundering of illegally taken wild birds much easier.
The use of DNA fingerprinting to determine family relationships of captive birds has been used in a number of successful prosecutions involving the laundering of wild taken birds of prey. It is hoped that these cases act as a deterrent to those intent on taking young birds of prey from the wild.
Ospreys were persecuted to extinction in the UK by 1916, but began to breed again in Scotland in 1954. The last few pairs of the original population were targeted relentlessly by egg collectors. Since the species has become re-established and following extensive protection, their numbers have increased to over 200 pairs in 2005.
What can I do?
Have you seen a crime against a wild bird? Use this form to report a wildlife crime to us.
Reporting form
Last modified: 26 August 2009