Vervolging van roofvogels in Nederland in 2006

Poisoning incidents (n=75) and deliberate disturbance of nests (n=211) were recorded throughout The Netherlands (Fig. 1). Both types of raptor persecution doubled in comparison with 2005, and never before in the history of the Dutch Raptor Group (since 1975) were so many nests destroyed in a single year (Table 1). Much of this increase originates from Friesland in the northern Netherlands, where concerted efforts by hunters and protectionists of meadowbirds resulted in widespread destruction of nests and breeding raptors (Fig. 2). In this region, raptor persecution – although illegal – has become common practice in farmland, de facto endorsed by protectionists of meadowbirds (not to be confused with bird protectionists), hunters and regional politicians in their cry for legalisation of raptor persecution (as – in their eyes – the only method to protect Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Black-Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa from further declines). Presently, at least 10-12% of all nests of Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus, Goshawks Accipiter gentilis and Buzzards Buteo buteo in Friesland are being destroyed each year (Table 4). Among the country-wide victims of poisoning. Common Buzzards and Northern Goshawks figured prominently (Table 2), but other species as Red Kite Milvus milvus, Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, Hen Harrier C. cyaneus, Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus and Kestrel Falco tinnunculus were also affected. Poisoning took mostly place with poisoned baits, using common pesticides like aldicarb (38x), parathion (18x), carbofuran (14x), parathion/carbofuran (3x) and strychnine (1x). Disturbing nests by keeping parents away from the nest or by destroying eggs or killing nestlings is widespread. Based on the recorded intensity of persecution (Table 2), the large sample of nest cards (>3300 in 2006), the wide distribution of nest cards over the country and recent population estimates of raptor species, it is calculated that a minimum of 1290 raptor nest has been destroyed in 2006, mostly Buzzards (900), Goshawks (180) and Marsh Harriers (95) (Tabel 3). These data indicate that raptor persecution is widespread as ever, and numerically showing a steep increase.