A RED KITE released from a site in the north of England has been poisoned in north Perthshire.

The incident is one of two poisonings being investigated by Tayside Police.

The first kite was discovered at Spittal of Glenshee in January and was traced through the signal emitting from a tracking device fitted to the bird. It is not known how long it had been dead.

In mid-June a walker spotted a second dead kite in Little Glenshee, about five miles north of Perth.

Tests carried out at the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency in Edinburgh confirmed the bird had been poisoned using the same banned pesticide involved in the death of the Spittal of Glenshee kite.

The second bird was a year old and its wing tags showed that it had been hatched in a nest near Perth.

Alan Stewart, Tayside Police wildlife and environment officer said, “Just when I thought we were making some progress in reducing the deliberate poisoning of birds of prey in Tayside this has set us back years.

“Setting out poisoned baits, whether to protect sheep, game or racing pigeon interests, is completely illegal and incredibly reckless and irresponsible.

“Baits are indiscriminate and likely to kill any wildlife from crows and ravens to golden eagles and red kites.

“There are many instances where dogs have been poisoned and there is a definite risk to humans who may pick up either the bait or its victim without being aware that it may have been laced with deadly pesticide.”

Mr Stewart added, “Wildlife poisoning cases are some of the most difficult to investigate.

“Sometimes the evidence points to a clear suspect, but on many occasions there are a choice of suspects and sometimes even a choice of interests to take into account.

“It is logical that in the vastness of the countryside the victims of poisoning that happen to be found and reported to the police must only be a small proportion of those that are killed.”

Bert Burnett, of the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association, said, “The Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association are disappointed that poisoned birds keep turning up and hope that those responsible are caught and punished.”

Bob Elliott, head of investigations at RSPB Scotland, added, “It is a national disgrace that the killing of rare birds such as the red kite still occurs in Scotland’s countryside.

“These illegal poison baits set for foxes or crows are indiscriminate and kill protected birds and other animals.

“Red kites, as scavengers, are particularly sensitive to illegal poisoning.”

Anyone with information that can assist the police in the red kite investigation or any other aspect of wildlife crime should contact Tayside Police on 01382 223200 or contact Mr Stewart direct on 01739 892650.