Raptor Persecution

peregrine5bBirds 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.

Mapping

In February 2018 Raptor Persecution maps for England and Wales were published on the Natural England MAGIC site to enable the police to clearly see where the highest incidents are taking place and focus enforcement efforts in the areas that need it most. The decision to map Raptor Persecution data onto MAGIC originated from a discussion at the Raptor Persecution Priority Deliver Group (RPPDG). The RPPDG wanted to publicly highlight the issue of persecution and identify hot-spots where targeted work needs to take place. The maps present the number of shootings, trappings, poisonings and nest destructions that took place across England & Wales between 2011 and 2015 and will be updated annually, providing an invaluable intelligence tool to help fight crimes again birds of prey. This will also enable liaison with the respective Police Force and other Agencies to prevent these crimes.

The maps can be found here and below are instructions on how to navigate to the Raptor Persecution data layer:

  • The Raptor Persecution data can be found within Habitats and Species / Species / Birds / Raptor Persecution.
  • In the Table of Contents panel on the left : Click on the + button next to the open white square by Habitats and Species.
  • Press the + button for Species, and then Birds and then Raptor Persecution.
  • The data is grouped in various one year sets from 2011 to 2015, and one 5 year 2011-2015 set.
  • Click on the + against All confirmed incidents 2011 – 2015.
  • If you click the white box for other layers they will also display together with any other layers that are switched on.
  • (The All Causes and All confirmed incidents are not meant not be displayed against other RP layers).
  • The All confirmed layer is a total of all incidents in the 10km square, with symbols sized accordingly.
  • The All causes layer shows symbols for all the different causes within that 10km square.

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