Chamber and committees

Thomas Dutton submission of 25 November 2021

PE1859/U – Retain falconers rights to practice upland falconry in Scotland

As a specialist avian vet with clients who practice falconry in the Scottish Uplands, I write to discuss my concerns on how current legislation restricting the ability to hunt mountain hare with falconry birds will negatively impact welfare.   

I must stress the importance of having free flight and being able to express hunting behaviour as of significant importance for the welfare of captive birds of prey. While in certain instances hunting can be artificially replicated (lure machines, planes, drones) these techniques fail to accurately replicate flight of broad winged raptors such as eagles when flying in Upland areas.  

The majority of Scotland’s approximately 500 pairs of wild Golden Eagle live and hunt in upland areas. Understandably falconers will bring their eagles to fly in this same landscape, for which their birds are best adapted. When being flown in these areas, even if only for training or exercise it is likely mountain hare may be encountered. 

Mountain hare are one of the traditional quarries for falconers in Scottish Upland regions. The Scottish upland areas are suited to falconry with Eagles and large hawks due to open landscape, distance from major roads and minimal fencing. Even where suitable alternative quarry is available in the uplands, such as rabbit, – simply flying birds free in these areas risks accidental hunting of mountain hare and leaving a falconer liable to prosecution.

While the mountain hare has been offered protection primarily to restrict large scale culls, legislation has had the effect of inadvertently restricting the access of falconers to the Scottish Uplands. The population impact of a small number of hares taken by falconers will be negligible.  

In my clinical experience Eagles which are provided suitable exercise and enrichment will show improved muscular condition, fitness, prevent stereotypical behaviours, reduced risk of disease such as atherosclerosis and reduced frustration. 

A falconry license – such as those granted in England to use birds of prey to hunt protected species would be a potential method to assess and if required limit the number of hares taken in a season.  

I would be happy to discuss or expand on any of the points raised in person.