Bird of Prey Crime

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Operation Owl

The purpose of Operation Owl is to increase public awareness of bird of prey persecution and to seek support in tackling it head on. ​As part of the Operation, police will carry out checks on known persecution hot-spots at random times to disrupt offender activity. Birds like peregrines, red kites and hen harriers are deliberately and relentlessly shot, trapped and poisoned in our countryside. 

​This initiative, supported and governed by the National Police Chiefs Council Wildlife Crime & Rural Affairs portfolio, builds on the successful blueprint introduced by North Yorkshire Police, the RSPB and the RSPCA, working together with the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks in 2017. 

Operation Owl is an ongoing joint initiative currently led by the Chair of the Bird of Prey Priority Delivery Group and the North Yorkshire Police Rural Task Force. 

Bird of Prey Crime Priority Delivery Group (PDG)

The England & Wales Bird of Prey Crime PDG is made up of representatives from the below organisations and meets quarterly to progress actions against the Tactical Delivery Plan and contributing to the NPCC Wildlife Crime Policing Strategy

The purpose of a UK Priority Delivery Group is to progress the priority in relation to prevention, intelligence and enforcement, including:

  • Setting of SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely)
  • Awareness raising (across law enforcement agencies, partners, stakeholder communities and the public)
  • Raising the profile via media exposure
  • Increase of information sharing
  • Coordination of enforcement activity

 

General Information

Birds of Prey, also known as Raptors (derived from the Latin verb ‘rapere’, to seize or take by force), hunt and feed on other animals.  They are predators, taking live prey. Raptors comprising of Hawks, Eagles, Kites, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and Owls, these birds are distinguished by their curved beaks, powerful talons and acute vision in flight.  Peregrines can reach speeds of up to 200mph when diving for prey.

Raptor Persecution is one of the UK Wildlife Crime Priorities which includes poisoning, shooting, trapping, habitat destruction and nest destruction/disturbance. In the UK Birds of Prey are a protected species and therefore any criminal offences committed against these species are covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Raptors also fall victim to the changing landscape.  Wind turbines are an increasing feature in rural areas and raptors have been struck or killed by the circling blades.

 Agricultural pesticides were having an adverse affect on certain species of raptors in Scotland , England and Wales .  Raptors became an indicator species of the health of the environment.  Pesticides and contaminants are now routinely monitored through the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) in Scotland and Food and Environmental Research Association (FERA) in England & Wales.

 goshawk9958LCampbell-aWith the onset of spring, Raptors are at a greater risk, in line with their nesting season and the use of traps.  They are also at a greater risk from pesticides poisoning, which lessens as the weather warms up through May.  March through to July is nesting season and therefore nest destruction/egg theft is most prevalent.

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