“A part-time game keeper has been convicted of using an illegal trap, designed to harm birds of prey, by his pheasant release pen near Ludlow.

Last week RSPB released its annual Birdcrime report. Much of the report focussed on the continuing problems of the illegal persecution of birds of prey. A recent prosecution has again graphically highlighted the threats these magnificent birds still face.

On 9 December 2013 at Herefordshire Magistrates Court Wayne Edward PRIDAY (39 yrs) from Leintwardine, Herefordshire, pleaded guilty to a charge relating to the use of a pole trap in August 2013. He was fined £375 and ordered to pay £170 costs.

Pole traps are devices that have been banned from use since 1904 and consist of a powerful spring-trap typically placed on top of a post or pole. Birds of prey will the use these elevated positions as a vantage point and the traps are strategically placed where they will hunt.”

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Source: RSPB