The latest Raptor Persecution & Poisoning Report for Northern Ireland, covering 2015 and 2016, has been released.    The main points are; 12 more confirmed raptor victims of persecution in Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 (6 buzzards, 5 peregrines, 1 sparrowhawk) Victims were poisoned (7) and shot (5) 7 incidents occurred in areas where […]

The new RSPB report contains 2016 data on wild bird crime, an interactive map showing raptor persecution incidents in 2016, case studies of shooting, poisoning and trapping incidents and focus reports on hen harriers, North Yorkshire and satellite tagging. With no real improvement in the problem of raptor persecution over the last 17 years, the […]

A gamekeeper allegedly killed two wild birds at a breeding ground in the Forest of Bowland. James Hartley, 33, of Bleasdale Lane, Bleasdale, near Preston is accused of shooting a peregrine falcon and trapping and killing another on April 13, as well as disturbing a nesting site. He is also alleged to have set a […]

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has been part of a UK initiative to prevent and stop the harassment and maltreatment of a native falcon, the peregrine – and it seems to be working. Instances of persecution against the large, powerful bird of prey can include theft of eggs and chicks from nests or […]

Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Rural Operational Support Team (ROST) are appealing for witnesses and information after a buzzard was found seriously injured. The bird was found by a member of the public in a track leading off Ledgemore Lane, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead on Wednesday, September 6. The bird was recovered and examined by a […]

North Yorkshire Police are investigating an incident in which men disturbed a pair of marsh harriers nesting on moorland north of Denton, near Ilkley, in Wharfedale. In May 2017 a pair of marsh harriers was discovered nesting on moorland forming part of Middleton and Denton moors near the village of Denton in North Yorkshire. The […]

Extra measures to protect Scotland’s birds of prey. Almost a third of golden eagles being tracked by satellite died in suspicious circumstances, scientists have found. The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) research identified that the majority of cases were found where land is intensively managed for driven grouse shooting. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham confirmed to the […]

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has revoked a licence to control wild birds at Raeshaw Estates as a result of on-going concerns about wildlife crime. Police Scotland is now investigating the potential offences on the Scottish Borders estate. Source: SNH To read the full article, click here.

Following the successful launch of Operation Raptor in March 2016 the PSNI have continued to show their commitment to wildlife crime by contributing to a UK initiative named “Peregrine Watch”. Peregrine Watch is an initiative to stop any peregrine persecution and this can include theft of eggs and chicks from nests and/or the killing of […]

Dwaine Tavernor 34 yrs of Knotton Road, Sheffield has pleaded guilty to possessing a wild Tawny owl at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 8th March 2017. Police visited Tavernor’s home on 4th September 2016 where they found a Tawny owl which was wearing a leg ring indicating that it was bird that had been lawfully bred […]