Vervolging van roofvogels in Nederland in 2020

Persecution in The Netherlands was recorded via autopsies of raptors found dead in the field, and by checking nests for human-caused failures. Poisoning was recorded seven times (1x Goshawk, 6x Buzzard). Shooting was diagnosed as the cause of death in 2 Marsh Harriers and 1 Montagu’s Harrier by the Central Veterinary Institute (plus 5x mentioned as the cause of nest failure). Human-disturbed nests were recorded 38 times, with Buzzards the most frequent victims. Based on the sample of 3199 raptor nests, and the relative frequency of species-specific nest destruction, it is calculated that at least 375 nests must have been disturbed or destroyed in 2020, either intentionally or increasingly as collateral damage caused by management measures (especially in nature reserves), farming, construction, maintenance and recreation. The disturbance of a Red Kite nest by nature photographers was a novum, as was the shooting of a female Montagu’s Harrier at the nest.