SIR, – I write regarding two recent contributions to The Scottish Farmer from Mr Strang Steel, Trustee Song Bird Survival, concerning the tunnel vision of RSPB et al in selective protection of raptors, to the detriment of song birds and farmland birds.

Firstly, may I congratulate Mr Strang Steel on his highlighting this anomaly; and also castigate those who lay the blame on habitat loss on our modern farming methods. Here in Highland Perthshire,, since my coming here in 1949, farming methods have changed but little, and habitats have, if anything, improved.

No mention, however, of domestic or feral cats. To list but a few of the losses of 'prey birds', we no longer have larks, yellow hammers, curlews, peewits, 'mountain blackbirds' (ring ousels), ptarmigan and grey partridge etc, etc.

Although as far inland as one can get, white tailed eagles have visited and taken Blackface lambs on this hill farm.

More power then to Mr Strang Steel's elbow!

Mervyn Browne,

Hill farmer,

Loch Tayside.