Vervolging van roofvogels in Nederland in 2021

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 thirteen times (1x Red Kite, 3x Marsh Harrier, 2x Goshawk, 7x Buzzard). Shooting was diagnosed as the cause of death in 2 Marsh Harriers and 4 Buzzards. Humandisturbed nests were recorded 49 times, with Buzzards the most frequent victim. Based on the sample of 3034 raptor nests, and the relative frequency of species-specific nest destruction, it is calculated that at least 424 nests must have been disturbed or destroyed in 2021, intentionally or as collateral damage caused by management measures (especially in nature reserves), farming, construction, maintenance and recreation. The frequency of disturbance was exacerbated by a Covid-19 related steep increase of activities around homes and in nature reserves.