Appeal for information after Red Kite found shot in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Police and the RSPB are appealing for information after a dead Red Kite was found near Toddington, Bedfordshire, containing as many as 10 pieces of lead shot.

The bird was discovered by a member of the public at Daintry Wood and sent for post-mortem examination. Radiography using X-rays, carried out by Zoological Society of London (ZSL), revealed 10 pieces of lead shot lodged in the body.

Inspector Mark Farrant, who leads the Operation Sentinel Rural Team (which has responsibility for all Bedfordshire wildlife crime matters), commented: "This is a particularly worrying incident against a bird that is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. I would ask anyone with information relating to this or similar incidents to call Bedfordshire Police."

The persecution of birds of prey, including by shooting, is a widespread problem in Britain. The RSPB's latest Bird Crime report cited 196 reports of shooting, trapping and destruction of birds of prey in 2015, including Red Kites.

One of the world's most successful reintroduction schemes has ensured Red Kite is now a fairly common sight many areas of Britain (Photo: Martin Webb)

Jenny Shelton, Investigations Liaison Officer at the RSPB, added: "It is appalling to find yet another shot Red Kite, and one containing so many pieces of shot. This was clearly no accident, and the bird will most likely have been shot at close range to incur this level of damage.

"This incident is especially sad considering the lengths that have been taken to re-introduce these splendid birds. Red Kites feed mainly on carrion, so pose no threat to people, pets or game, so there is no logical reason for these birds to be targeted. To most of us they are a treat to see, and can be identified by their forked tail and red-and-white colouring."

Although now a fairly common sight in Bedfordshire (and across many areas of England and Wales) thanks to one of the world's most successful reintroduction schemes, Red Kites were one of the UK's rarest breeding birds as recently as the 1980s.

If you have any information relating to this case, call Bedfordshire police on 101. If you find a wild bird which you suspect has been illegally killed, please contact RSPB investigations on 01767 680551 or fill in the online form.

An X-ray of the dead Red Kite, clearly exhibiting multiple pieces of lead shot (Photo: RSPB)