The two birds ingested the same type of highly toxic poison, resulting in their death.

Two birds of prey have been poisoned at a golf course in Dumfries and Galloway. Police launched a probe after a member of the public discovered a dead red kite and wood pigeon on Castle Douglas Golf Course on Thursday, April 10.

Following enquiries, it was established that the red kite had been poisoned, and the wood pigeon was used as poisoned bait.

On Tuesday, April 15, a second dead red kite was found nearby – and it has since been found that the two birds have ingested the same type of highly toxic poison, resulting in their death.

National Wildlife Crime Coordinator Detective Sergeant David Lynn said: “Red kites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal to kill this protected species.

“Poisoning a bird or animal is not only cruel and callous, but it can harm other wildlife as well as members of the public. The use of this poison in a public area is extremely dangerous and poses a significant risk to anyone who comes into contact with it.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are working with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances of this incident. We would urge the public not to handle any dead animals they may find in this area of Castle Douglas, and if there are suspicious circumstances, I would ask you to report this to police. I would appeal to anyone with any information about the poisoning of these birds to contact us.”

If you saw anything suspicious or have any information about poisoning in the area, please contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0785 of April 10. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

It comes after police revealed two men had been arrested and charged after a red kite was “shot dead” in a separate incident in Aberdeenshire. Officers received a report that the bird had been killed in Glenbuchat, near Strathdon, sometime between Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4.

The bird, which was found by a member of the public, was recovered with the assistance of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) where the cause of death was not apparent at that time.

However, following further investigations, it was allegedly established that the bird had been shot and police were contacted. At the time officers appealed for information – and police today confirmed that two men, aged 39 and 42, have been arrested and charged in connection with wildlife offences.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with wildlife offences following enquiries into the death of red kites in the Strathdon area of Aberdeenshire in February, 2025. The men, aged 39 and 42, will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.”