Red kites "killing red squirrels"

[Ukwildlifeo]

Its a rather strange claim:
Lord claims red kites are killing red squirrels | Aberdeen and North | STV News

The red kite not exactly an agile forest dwelling predator - in fact its not much of a predator at all.....

[solus]

I expect his Lordship wants to have an excuse to get out the old gun and have a blast at the nasty birds of prey.

Sounds like a very dodgy claim indeed to me....

[sidewalkdoctor]

RSPB Scotland also said that it was unreasonable to suggest that a bird that had only been reintroduced in the past 20 years was responsible for the current plight of the red squirrel.

Whereas year upon year of in-breeding have been responsible for His Lordships' current plight....

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by sidewalkdoctor

Whereas year upon year of in-breeding have been responsible for His Lordships' current plight....

Now that's not very nice we all know the aristocracy has always done that sort of thing..Keep it in the family..

Where is the photographic evidence of the kites taking the squirrels if something else was the cause of the squirrels death then the story would be more plausible.

[davecatt]

Interesting point, what do you do if one endangerd spcs predates another endangerd spcs?

Let nature take its course? or not?

(I do agree though that His Lordship is trying it on)

[aeshna5]

I would like to see some evidence for this as I'm very sceptical. Goshawks certaintly take squirrels- but Red Kites an active Red Squirrel predator- I remain to be convinced!

[John]

Red Kites are basically scavengers. Predating Red Squirrels, I think not.

Methinks Melord will have to think up another excuse that's a bit more plausible than this ridiculous claim.

John

[Vincent86]

Was he out of his mind? What was he thinking?!

[Richard G.]

Originally Posted by davecatt

Interesting point, what do you do if one endangerd spcs predates another endangerd spcs?

Let nature take its course? or not?

Too late for that in this case, we already interfered with the Red Kite re-introduction. Not that it's been a bad thing, IMHO, and agree that the Lords claims show a total ignornace of the Red Kite.

[PMG]

Has he been at the scotch do you think? Even a hungry buzzard would'nt tackle a squirrel Bet he doesn't like ospreys taking salmon either ....... and eagles near sheep ..........