Submitted by Ms. Jacky Chaplow on
The PBMS has just published a collaborative study on the exposure of red kites to second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). The study reports that, of 26 red kites found dead in England and Wales in 2015 and subsequently analysed for SGARs, all contained detectable residues of one or more compound. SGARs were considered to be implicated in the deaths of 9 (35%) of these birds. Data available for kites from Scotland were limited for 2015 but suggests that exposure to SGARs may be lower than for kites from England & Wales.
The collaborative report draws together data from the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology’s Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme, the Institute of Zoology, Fera Science Ltd, the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, and Raptor Health Scotland.
Richard Shore, lead scientist for the PBMS tells us “This is the first time that data for SGAR contamination in red kites has been brought together from the work conducted across five UK organisations/schemes and reflects the benefits of enhanced cooperation and coordination that has been facilitated through the WILDCOMS network.
Our findings clearly indicate significant contamination of red kites with SGARs that can lead to mortalities, and highlights a strong need to continue monitoring the exposure and effects of SGARs on red kites.”
All of the PBMS reports are available from the Reports page.