The death toll of birds of prey believed to be victims of Scotland’s worst raptor poisoning incident rose yesterday to 16.
Police said the carcases of 12 red kites and four buzzards have been found in a two-square-mile area near Conon Bridge.
RSPB Scotland is offering a £5,000 reward for any information which leads to a conviction for those responsible for the spate of poisonings.
Last year six raptors were found to have been killed by poison across the whole of Scotland.
A police spokesman said: “As part of a continued wildlife crime investigation into the death of birds of prey, police can now confirm that the numbers have increased with the total now standing at 16 birds having been found, consisting of 12 red kites and four buzzards.
“The birds were located within an approximate two-square-mile area to the south-east of Conon Bridge around Conon Brae, Balvail, Leanaig and Alcaig.
“Police Scotland are working in close collaboration with partner agencies, RSPB, SSPCA, Scotland’s Rural College and Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture.”
He added that anyone who finds any further dead birds or animals in the area should not attempt to touch or remove carcases due to the risk of poisoning but should make a note of their location and inform police.
The police investigation was launched last week after five red kites and one buzzard were found dead.
The number has risen since and post-mortem examinations being carried out on the birds have so far revealed six were poisoned.
Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management at RSPB Scotland, said the deaths were a “shocking indictment” on the behaviour of some people in the area.
Red kites have become a wildlife feature of the Black Isle since being reintroduced there in 1994, and bird lovers gather at the RSPB’s Tollie Red Kite Centre to see them being fed.