Oh no! It's the the bobblies...

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. That was my first thought after a quick read through this report in today's online edition of the Depressing Journal
Something, however, seemed a little out of place. The appearance of the initials RSPB always sets off the nervous tics of late. No wonder, given whatever it is that their press spokesman seems to be imbibing in order to produce gems such as this:

The RSPB later hailed the outcome as a small victory in its campaign to eradicate the "persecution" of hen harriers by gamekeepers.

How very optimistic of them, especially in light of the fact that

Not guilty pleas to a further two charges, of attempting to kill, injure or take a hen harrier and of intentionally disturbing its young, were also accepted

the gamekeeper having already plead guilty to charges which in a rather ironic sense are usually applied to poachers!
This whole thing bothers me a considerable deal and for (but not limited to) the following reasons:

Do the RSPB provide active assistance to under pressure/lazy journalists?
It would seem so. Where else could the headline "FORMER GAMEKEEPER FINED FOR AIMING GUN AT PROTECTED BIRD" in all it's erroneous glory have come from?

What is the exact role the RSPB in the detection and prosecution of so-called wildlife crimes?
The fact that this case has only just reached the Sheriff Court over two and a half years after the incident would suggest that the RSPB has been more closely involved than perhaps might be proper with regard to due judicial process and the public interest. The RSPB only acts out of it's own self interest whereas the Procurator Fiscal prosecutes cases in the public interest. Did the RSPB's involvement in this case lead to it's dragging on and if so, how much of this was funded by the RSPB? Was undue pressure applied by the RSPB to proceed with charges that would otherwise have been dropped had it merely been "just" a normal police case?

Does the RSPB rely on a generally gullible public, spoon fed stories of dreadful deeds carried out by stereotypical villainous Victorian "gamey" types to furnish it's ever-swelling coffers?
Hey, look! There's a bear over in that wood and it's about to.. eeeuugghhhh!!!