Hector McNeil admitted the wildlife charges in court
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The head gamekeeper on an Aberdeenshire estate has admitted killing a raven by poisoning eggs on which they feed.
Hector McNeil, 56, has been a gamekeeper at the Glenbuchat Estate in Strathdon for 30 years.
McNeil also admitted keeping 118 common gull eggs and a banned pesticide. He will be sentenced next month.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard McNeil had poisoned eggs as a last resort after traditional methods to protect pheasant and red grouse numbers had failed.
The court heard the raven was struggling to survive in the Grampian area, with only two breeding pairs.
McNeil was charged with offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act after an operation by Grampian Police, the Scottish Executive's rural affairs department and RSPB Scotland.
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