Golden eagles are sometimes victims

The society's head of investigations, Graham Elliott, said: "These deliberate acts of poisoning are cowardly, callous and irresponsible crimes.

"They affect the future survival of several threatened birds of prey, including the red kite, which has been successfully reintroduced to England and Scotland after an absence of more than a century.

"It is a tragedy that a tiny minority of people with deeply entrenched views still want to kill these magnificent and benign birds.

"The Countryside and Rights of Way Act, introduced in January this year, now means that wildlife criminals could face a custodial sentence for the more serious crimes against wildlife. We hope this will act as a strong deterrent."

Government figures show that 14 cats and 34 dogs were victims of pesticide poisoning in 1999.

The RSPB says many of the poisoned birds were found next to baits laced with identifiable poisons.

Extra curbs

"The particular favourites in the poisoner's arsenal", it says, "are Aldicarb and Alphachloralose, which are currently only licensed as pesticides for agricultural use.

"Additionally, Mevinphos, which has recently been banned, and Carbofuran, which is likely to be withdrawn, are frequently identified in wildlife poisoning incidents."

Graham Elliott said: "The RSPB is calling for tighter controls on the possession of these poisons, because we believe people having access to these toxic chemicals should be able to demonstrate a legitimate need to use them."

Other crimes reported included the destruction of nine mute swans and the shooting of 21 others.

Red kites now fly far and wide

Grahame Madge of the RSPB told BBC News Online: "For every bird reported poisoned, we believe there are many more that go undetected. We've found quite a few only because they were wearing radio collars.

"Birds of prey are now found in many areas where they were absent a few years ago, because of successful reintroduction schemes.

"So there's more opportunity for harming them. And we do now seem to be hitting a brick wall of persecution.

Compromise possible

"The overall message is that gamekeepers still have a lot to learn. There seems sadly to be a hard core among them, and pigeon fanciers, who want to see the back of these birds."

Dr Stephen Tapper, of the Game Conservancy Trust, told BBC News Online: "We want to see a sensible compromise between grouse moor interests and those of bird conservation, and we think there can be one.

"I'm very disappointed that the illegal use of poisons has increased, because for some years it had been falling. I hope it's just an aberration."

Red kite photos courtesy of RSPB Images