admin1
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Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 349
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 Posted:
17.05.06, 7.47pm Peregrine Falcon shot dead |
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Culdaff, May ~ A Large female Peregrine Falcon was found dead at Culdaff last week. The bird has been x-rayed by vet Susan Rollston and was found to have two shotgun pellets inside it body. The bird looked to be in a bad state of health and was just clipped by shotgun pellets in or around the first days in May. The Falcon subsequently died of lead poisoning or starvation due to lead poisoning and its inability to hunt.
Peregrine Falcons are the fastest known creature on the planet. They can reach over 200 miles per hour when they spectacularly stoop for their prey. Peregrines catch rooks, magpies, hooded crows, jackdaws and some small birds, they do not feed on carrion. A Peregrine is a great addition to any farmland area as they keep these vermin in check. They are so effective, falconers are employed for vermin control at places like airports, football stadiums and large warehouses.
A peregrine is easily distinguished between a buzzard in flight as it moves fast and horizontal or dives down off high vantage-points, unlike the buzzard which soars on thermals watching for small mammals like rats and crows.
Its such a shame to see a bird like this killed at any time of year but especially during the breeding season when she most likely had eggs in the nest. It would have taken a concerted effort to shoot such a bird and I have no doubt that it was intentional. A peregrine is a fantastic free benefit to farmers during the important springtime when reseeding and crop planting comes under pressure as a result of rooks and other vermin.
Shooting of a wild bird is a criminal offence and is prosecutable under the Wildlife act 1976 and 2000. The purprotrator can receive sentences as severe as twelve months in prison and a hefty fine of thousands of Euro. Guns can be confiscated and licences revoked if found guilty.
If you have any information relating to this or other wildlife issues please contact the National parks and Wildlife Conservation Ranger for Inishowen, Emmett Johnston on 074 93 22628 or emmett.johnston@environ.ie .
Last edited by admin1 on 19.07.06, 5.51pm; edited 1 time in total
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