At last the X-ray of Rowan’s injuries has been published. This shows his shattered left leg with fragments of shot by the wound.
Looks pretty clear.
This X-ray has finally emerged on an RSPB blog – good for them! – but it’s a rather strange route considering this was a bird tagged by the Hawk and Owl Trust and Natural England. But well done RSPB.
Why has it taken over three months for this X-ray to emerge? Why is it only because of a series of FoIs by Raptor Persecution UK (see here and here) that we are now completely sure that Rowan was shot – despite Natural England, Defra and the Hawk and Owl Trust knowing this back in October?
Who was responsible for trying to cloud this issue? What, in particular, were the roles of Natural England and Defra in this lack of transparency?
Which side is the Hawk and Owl Trust on?
Is Natural England fit for purpose?
Why should we have any confidence in Defra and its ministers to tackle wildlife crime when it cannot even ensure that clear reporting of wildlife crime occurs?
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At last! But, presumably the actual site of recovery has still not been released? Can an expert tell from the xray, just what would have happened at the time? I guess the bird would have landed more or less immediately, but could it have flown off again? Everyone keep pushing for more info!
Well to be fair they would have had to carefully rule out any alternative causes of death. For example Rowan could easily have been involved in an accidental collision with a lorry load of tiny ball bearings. At such a delicate time we wouldn’t want anyone jumping to conclusions would we?
I think you’ll find that Defra are on the case. They are currently investigating death and the word ‘dead’. Until those investigations are complete (anticipated to be 2 election cycles time) there is indeed some ambiguity around being found ‘shot dead’. It would clearly be premature to comment any further at this time.
Another very likely indication from this sad tale is that neither natural England or the Hawk and Owl trust can be trusted to satellite tag raptors.
If Sorrel, a Harrier from Scotland, succumbs, can we trust these 2 organisations to provide truthful timeous reporting. No.
Conversely I fully trust the RSPB on this matter, I’m pleased to say.
Looks like their URL “www.hawkandowl.org” is more appropriate than their full name – they don’t include the word ‘TRUST’ in it. Perhaps they’ll shorten their name to match the URL now.
The hawk and owl trust cannot be trusted and natural England are a toothless wTered down arm of the government and no longer fit for purpose
Not sure how any self respecting birder could be a member of the H.O.T time all surrendered their membership for this charity.
Mark, already the nasty brigade are unbelievably in denial mode… dont suppose you could post the x-rays of the shot fragments in grouse…. just to undermine their straw arguments. As per usual they have no understanding of the science….