Buzzard shot in Meath

If you haven't already heard a common buzzard was shot and killed in Co. Meath recently.  Birdwatch Ireland have released a statement giving some details on this truly horrific criminal act.  I've seen the buzzard population grow over the last ten years to the point where there's hardly a day goes by when I don't get to see these magnificent birds up close.

To prove the point the shots attached were taken this morning less than an hour after I'd read the Birdwatch Ireland article on line. I can go to any one of numerous sights within the county and be pretty guaranteed (as much as birding ever guarantees) great views of our buzzards.  Ashbourne, Ratoath, Clonee, Kilbride, Kentstown, Navan, Trim......... literally the whole county is home to buzzards.  They may go unnoticed to most people going about their daily business but to people who know where to look they cannot be missed.  Unfortunately not everyone who knows where to look has the birds best interests at heart.

common buzzard - Ashbourne

 

common buzzard - Ashbourne

 

What's needed is the correct and rigid enforcement of our laws.  The common buzzard is a species protected by law, a species who's main diet consists of roadkill, vermin, rabbits and sometimes other birds.  They are a danger to no farmers/hunters livelihood. Their presence in an area is a great indicator of the diversity and health of the countryside, something we should all be working for, not something to be taken lightly and certainly not something to be ignored when crimes like this one take place.

I for one feel the county of Meath, indeed the country as a whole would be a much lesser place if we regress back twenty years to an era when buzzards where a very rare occurrence here. They've already been hunted to extinction once in this country we can't let it happen a second time.