Vervolging van roofvogels in Nederland in 2009

Poisoning (N=20) and deliberately disturbance of nests (N=77) were recorded throughout The Netherlands, but with a clear bias towards Friesland in the north (Fig. 1). The special status of Friesland hinges on the non-factual idea of local farmers, hunters and bird protectionists (specialised of meadow birds) that raptors are the main threat (not to say responsible for the decline) of meadow birds. In 2009, a kongsi of the afore-mentioned groups lobbied for the legalisation of killing raptors (and other predators), bringing into the open what has being illegally practiced for years. Victims of poisoning were Red Kite Milvus milvus (N=1), Goshawk Accipter gentilis (N=1) and Buzzard Buteo buteo (N=18). The following insecticides were found in poisoned raptors (and baits): aldicarb (2x), alphachloralose (4x), carbofuran (5x), ethoprofos (1x), parathion (7x) and ‘poison’ (1x), clearly indicating the sources as related to farmers and hunters. Disturbing nests by keeping parents away from the nest or by cutting down nesting trees, destroying eggs or nestlings and shooting is widespread. Based on the recorded intensity of persecution (Table 2), the large sample of nest cards (2912 in 2009), the wide distribution of nest cards across the country and recent population estimates of raptor species (the year 2005), it is calculated that a minimum of some 564 raptor nests have been destroyed in 2009, mostly Buzzards, Marsh Flamers and Goshawks, but also including the rare Hen Harrier (Tabel 3).