Ross Minett attacks gamekeepers on suppositions, not facts (Letters, July 6). The Scottish Gamekeepers Association, too, condemns the use of poison, but let's get this matter into perspective. Hundreds of predatory birds are being released into Scotland's skies with no environmental or impact assessments being carried out before the schemes are allowed - that few of these birds manage to survive should really come as no surprise.
Mr Minett alleges that "estimates of 40% of young red kites in the Highlands having been poisoned are shocking", but "estimates" is the key word here. There is no proof that these birds have been killed at the hands of gamekeepers. With ever increasing numbers of raptor populations vying for food, they could have flown outwith transmitter range, a large proportion will have died in the nest and more will have died from starvation during their first winter.
His statement that "it is no coincidence that studies repeatedly find lower populations of birds of prey on or around shooting estates" shows exactly how ignorant he is of the countryside. Without sporting estates managing the abundance of wildlife, there would be far, far fewer predatory birds as there would be no food source. The disaster at Langholm showed clearly what happened to hen harriers when they were allowed to multiply without foxes, stoats and other predators being controlled - their numbers crashed as they became the victims of predation.
RSPB and Game Conservancy Trust research shows conclusively that moorland managed for shooting is good for biodiversity and produces five times more waders than unmanaged land. Where are Mr Minett's studies that repeatedly find fewer birds of prey in the vicinity of sporting estates?
Alex Hogg, Chairman, Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Hillhead Cottage, Eddleston, Peebles.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article