RSPB Birdcrime 2023 Report

That the Parliament notes the continuing concern around illegal bird of prey persecution in Scotland and the rest of the UK, highlighted in the Birdcrime 2023 report produced by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB); highlights that, for decades, the RSPB has investigated hundreds of cases of illegal bird of prey persecution in the UK, as, it understands, a significant proportion of such incidents happen on or near land associated with gamebird shooting, including many sites that are designated for nature conservation; understands that, despite legal protection, birds of prey are being routinely shot, trapped and poisoned as these deliberate criminal acts target many vulnerable birds; further understands that recovering species, including golden eagles, hen harriers, peregrines, white-tailed eagles, goshawks and red kites, are targeted in an attempt to maximise commercial gamebird stocks; understands that, over the last 15 years across the UK, the RSPB investigations team has recorded 1,529 confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution, involving at least 1,344 individual birds of prey, which equates to one bird of prey being illegally killed or injured every four days; notes that Scotland has gradually tightened up on legislation, but considers that these illegal acts are having a significant impact on the preservation of many of Scotland's birds of prey, and that, despite the efforts of current protective legislation, a continued watch must be kept on whether further improvements are necessary.