Britain's relentless persecution of birds of prey revealed

The new Birdcrime 2016 – the sole report summarising offences against birds of prey in the UK – reveals 40 shootings, 22 poisonings, 15 trappings and four other incidents of illegal persecution against raptors. Among the victims were Hen Harriers, Peregrine Falcons, Red Kites and Common Buzzards. The evidence suggests these figures are just the tip of the iceberg, with many illegal killings going undetected or unreported, often seemingly through active concealment.

The report also reveals that 53 (close to two-thirds) of the confirmed incidents took place in England, and raises particular concern for raptors in North Yorkshire. Over the last five years the county recorded the highest number of confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents in the UK, with 54 incidents since 2012 and 19 last year alone.

The problem isn’t confined to England, with the report highlighting cases in Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland, where there is growing concern over the repeated very suspicious disappearances of satellite-tagged birds of prey. This year, a study by the Scottish Government examined the fate of 131 Golden Eagles fitted with satellite tags between 2004-16, concluding that: “as many as 41 (one third) disappeared, presumably died, under suspicious circumstances connected with records of illegal persecution.”

A Golden Eagle is satellite-tagged in Scotland; up to 41 such birds are believed to have disappeared in suspicious circumstances, never to be seen again. Photo: Duncan Orr-Ewing (RSPB).

Increasingly, people in Britain are being robbed of the chance to see these spectacular birds because of these illegal incidents, yet in 2016 there wasn’t a single prosecution arising from a confirmed incident – the first time this has happened in 30 years.

Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: “Birds of prey bring our skies to life. There is nothing like seeing a diving peregrine or a skydancing Hen Harrier. The sights of these spectacular birds are something we should all be able to enjoy, [but] unfortunately illegal activity is stopping this and preventing the birds from flourishing. There are laws in place to protect the birds but they are clearly not being put into action. We need governments across the UK to do more to tackle illegal killing to protect our raptors for future generations to enjoy.”

A gamekeeper in Mossdale, North Yorkshire, walks away, having just reset one of several pole traps at the site. Photo: RSPB.

Previous research has shown that illegal killing of birds of prey is associated with land managed for intensive driven grouse shooting, leaving vast areas of our uplands devoid of raptors. A Natural England study revealed “compelling evidence” that the persecution of Hen Harriers associated with driven grouse moors was the main factor limiting their recovery in England.

Bob Elliot, RSPB Head of Investigations, said: “This latest Birdcrime report highlights that we have a major issue in the UK with birds of prey being deliberately and illegally killed, despite having full legal protection. This type of crime has serious consequences for the populations of species, such as Hen Harrier, and we must see a change in attitude and more effective law enforcement to protect these birds for years to come.”

The RSPB believes the introduction of a licensing system for driven grouse shooting would help tackle the ongoing illegal persecution that occurs on the moors. This would also help tackle the wider problems of intensive management of ‘big bag’ driven grouse shooting, like the draining and burning of fragile peat bogs. A fair set of rules in the form of a licensing system could help ensure shoots are operating legally and sustainably, and introduce the option of restricting or removing a licence in response to the most serious offences, such as where staff on an estate have been convicted of illegally killing birds of prey.

The RSPB has welcomed a recent announcement by Scottish Government that will see an independent panel established to review options for regulation of grouse shooting and to look at the economic and environmental costs and benefits of the industry.

A full copy of the Birdcrime 2016 report summarising the extent of illegal persecution offences against birds of prey in the UK, can be downloaded here.