Vervolging van roofvogels in Nederland in 2023

Bijlsma R.G. & van Tulden P.W. 2024. Raptor persecution in The Netherlands in 2023. De Takkeling 32: 62-67. Persecution in The Netherlands was recorded via raptors found dead in the field (analysed by the Central Veterinary Institute), and by checking nest success and failure. Poisoning was recorded twice (White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, in the first case accompanied by bait poisoned with alphachloralose). Killing by shooting was recorded for Buzzard Buteo buteo (2x), Marsh Harrier (1x) and Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus (1x). Nests disturbed by human-related activities were recorded 44 times, mostly concerning Marsh Harriers (8.1% of all 172 nests recorded), Peregrine Falcon (2.2% out of 93 nests), Goshawks Accipiter gentilis (1.7% out of 302 nests), Buzzards (1.6%, n=919) and Honey Buzzards (1.6%, n=63). Based on the country-wide sample of 3195 raptor nests, and the relative frequency of species-specific nest destruction, it is calculated that at least 385 nests must have been disturbed or destroyed in 2023, intentionally or as collateral damage caused by management measures and clear-felling (also in nature reserves), farming, construction, maintenance and recreation. Since 1996, the first year that the fortunes of raptor nests were collated across the entire country, the frequency of nest destruction has almost halved (400-600 nests annually destroyed up to and including 2013, 200-400 after 2013). Concurrently, the type of nest destruction has switched from intentional to mostly collateral. Whereas deliberate nest destruction, often associated with poisoning, shooting and trapping, used to be the norm up to the early 2010s, many nests nowadays fail in the wake of the increasing impact of human activities on the environment. The latter is exacerbated by habitat destruction in nature reserves (notably in woodlands) and indiscriminate facilitation of recreation