Pesticides kill fourth peregine falcon
PESTICIDES were responsible for the death of a fourth peregrine falcon in Guernsey – while investigations are under way into another suspicious bird of prey death.
Earlier this month the States vet David Chamberlin went public with concerns after three peregrine falcons were found dead in unusual circumstances in the last 14 months.
Post-mortem examinations and analysis of stomach contents demonstrated that they had consumed fatal doses of a mixture of professional-use pesticides, some of which had been banned since 2012.
Results from the post-mortem and analysis of stomach contents of a fourth peregrine falcon have shown that it too died of professional-use pesticides.
States Veterinary Officer David Chamberlain and Deputy States Veterinary Officer Grace Hodgkinson confirmed the results for the bird, which was found in June.
They have also announced that another bird of prey has been found dead under unusual circumstances this week.
Samples have been sent away for analysis.
The first deaths were notified in April 2019, when two peregrine falcons were found next to each other.
A further death was reported in February at a different location.
‘States’ officers will continue to investigate any allegations of misuse of pesticides and the States Veterinary Officers will investigate any animal welfare concerns,’ a spokesperson said.
n If you have any information that could support this enquiry, contact SVO@gov.gg. If anyone has information relating to the misuse of commercial pesticides then these should be referred to the Health and Safety Executive in the first instance (234567, hse@gov.gg).
