Annual abundance of common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) is negatively associated with second generation anticoagulant rodenticides

Abstract Rats and mice can damage food agricultural products as well transmit diseases, thereby requiring control of their numbers. Application Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) often reduces rodent numbers locally. However, predators eating rodents, including non-target species, that have consumed SGARs may be secondarily exposed potentially lethally poisoned. Here we study whether contributed to the widespread population declines a rodent-eating raptor, Common Kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ) in UK. We show 161 (66.8%) 241 Kestrels submitted for ecotoxicology tests between 1997 2012 had detectable levels at least one SGAR livers. Adult significantly higher prevalence than juveniles, suggesting accumulation through time. The concentrations individual were England Scotland. positively associated with some land cover types, primarily arable cereals broad-leaved woodland , negatively mainly mean elevation probably reflecting variation usage across types. By using volunteer-collected data on national abundance 1997–2012, there is negative correlation index specific year concentration bromadialone total same year. Although correlative, this first provide evidence potential population-limiting effect raptor.