- Whitefield is a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association
David Alexander Whitefield, a 41 year old gamekeeper (and a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association) at Birthwood Farm, Culter Allers nr Biggar, Lanarkshire, has been fined £300 for the illegal use of a crow trap.
On 4 March 2008, a hillwalker discovered a buzzard caught inside a crow trap. No food, water or shelter was available in the trap, and there was no door to allow the release of non-target species (all requirements of the law). Four inches of snow covered the ground, and no footprints or vehicle tracks were in evidence around the trap, indicating that it hadn’t been checked for at least 48 hours (it is a legal requirement that traps are checked every 24 hours).
On 1 October 2008 at Lanark Sheriff Court, Whitefield pleaded guilty to charges of failing to ensure the welfare of the bird and of recklessly taking a buzzard. In addition to his £300 fine, Whitefield was also banned from using his Scottish Open General Licence for 5 years. http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/le57_tcm9-212748.pdf
News story here
According to the RSPB report, “The illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland in 2009”, the following were found at Culter Allers during 2009 –
October 2009: 1 x dead buzzard, 1 x rabbit bait containing alpha-chloralose
November 2009: 2 x dead buzzards, 1 x rabbit bait containing alpha-chloralose
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