CONVICTED (2022) | gamekeeper Archie Watson, born c. 2000, of Dragon Lane, Manningford Bruce, Pewsey SN9 6JE – caught dumping dead birds of prey in a well.
Watson was prosecuted after secret filming caught him dumping dead buzzards, red kites and a herring gull on the farm where he worked.
He pleaded guilty to illegally possessing dead birds of prey after the animals were found in a well within the grounds of Galteemore Farm (aka the Farm at Avebury) in Beckhampton.
The charges related to five dead buzzards, three red kites, one herring.
He also admitted three counts of failing to comply with a firearm certificate after a loaded shotgun was discovered on the seat of his unlocked vehicle.
Magistrates heard that in August 2020 the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) launched a covert investigation after they received a tip-off about a gamekeeper at Galteemore Farm killing birds of prey and throwing their remains into a well.
Prosecuting, Ashley Petchey said an investigation team from the bird conservation charity attended the farm and installed hidden cameras around the well.
Footage recorded by the camera showed a male attending the site on numerous occasions and on 12 August 2020, a male was captured placing a buzzard into the well. Wiltshire Police was informed and they were able to identify him as Watson.
Armed with video footage, the force attained a search warrant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Supported by the RSPB, Natural England and the National Wildlife Crime Unit raided two separate addresses linked to Watson – including Galteemore Farm – in September 2020.
The farm’s owner, Robert Hues, was located and gave police Watson’s address. Watson was subsequently arrested at that address.
Specially trained rescue personnel entered the well and recovered the remains of numerous birds. As well as the protected red kites, buzzards and gull, dead pheasants were also located. The remains of a sheep and the skull of an unidentified mammal were also found.
In custody, Watson told officers that the buzzard he was recorded putting into the well was found dead under a tree. He said he used the well to dispose of birds and said the leg rings were found whilst metal detecting on land in Pewsey.
Mr Petchey said the birds’ cause of death could not be ascertained, though two of the buzzards located in the well did have metal in them.
Andy Lee, defending, said his client wished to make it clear he never caused unnecessary suffering or killed any birds or animals and there is “no evidence he has done so”.
He said Watson “came into possession of those birds after they have died” having discovered them on the farm’s land after they died. He said the birds were disposed of in the well after their death to “prevent the spread of disease”.
He added that there is “no evidence he had personally persecuted” the birds.
CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor Angharad Thomas said: “This is one of the largest prosecutions of someone being in possession of dead wild birds.
“Every wild bird is protected by law and it is an offence to even be in possession of one, dead or alive.
“A huge effort has gone into growing the red kite population in the UK, so to find three of them dead in that area is alarming and will have an impact on the success of this protected species.
“The CPS takes wildlife offences very seriously and will prosecute whenever our legal test is met.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work; ordered to pay the Fairtrade Access Fund £288.