Highland estate stripped of licence to shoot birds over claims of wildlife crimes

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A posh Highland estate has been banned from shooting birds on its land for three years over claims of illegally wiping out wildlife.The NatureScot agency is set to strip Millden Estate of its general licences after cops discovered three shot buzzards on its grounds.Police found two of the birds, which are a protected species, in a bag at a house on the Angus Glens estate.

Officers are also investigating alleged trapping offences.Millden - considered one of Scotland’s most prestigious shooting estates - formerly employed sadistic gamekeeper Rhys Davies who was jailed last year for animal cruelty and firearms offences.However, his crimes are separate to the new ban announced by NatureScot.Donald Fraser, the agency’s Head of Wildlife Management, said the restriction of general licences was a “proportionate response”.He said: “The discovery of three shot buzzards on Millden estate, two of which were found within a bag at an estate house, as well as trapping offences and ongoing concerns relating to general licence compliance, have resulted in the suspension of the use of general licences on this property for three years until March 2026.“We will continue to work closely with Police Scotland and consider information they provide on cases which may warrant restricting general licences.”NatureScot added that Millden Estate would be closely monitored and subject to enhanced record-keeping and reporting requirementsGeneral licences allow landowners or land managers to carry out control of common species of wild birds, such as crows and magpies, to protect crops or livestock.Four other sites in Scotland also currently face general licence restrictions: Moy Estate in the Highlands, Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park,