Illegal persecution of birds of prey is still happening all too regularly in the UK countryside according to our Birdcrime 2015 report, published today in a new online interactive format.
The study found 196 reports of shooting and destruction of birds of prey and 50 reports of wildlife poisoning and pesticide related offences across the UK in 2015.
Just under 7% of the crimes reported occurred in the South East, and confirmed incidents involved the illegal killing of five buzzards, a barn owl and a peregrine falcon.
Despite raptor persecution being identified as one of the UK government’s top wildlife crime priorities in 2009, the persecution of birds of prey still remains an issue of serious concern with around 590 birds of prey having been confirmed poisoned, shot, trapped or destroyed in the last 6 years.
These figures may just be the top of the iceberg though, as incidents often go unreported.
We believe tougher legislation and enforcement is essential if birds of prey are to thrive in their natural environment again.
It is not only conservation organisations fighting for the protection of our wildlife. Public anger is growing stronger and more voices are beginning to call for change. Over 500 people attended our Hen Harrier Day at RSPB Rainham Marshes this summer, to call for more to be done to protect our most persecuted bird of prey.
Martin Harper, RSPB Director of Conservation, said: “Our birds of prey are magnificent creatures and the sight of a hen harrier’s dramatic skydancing display flight is simply breathtaking. Everyone should be able to witness this but sadly millions of people are denied this opportunity. Our uplands are deprived of some amazing wildlife because of ongoing illegal persecution and it has to stop.”
It is not only conservation organisations fighting for the protection of our wildlife. Public anger is growing stronger over the ongoing persecution of our birds of prey and the state of our uplands, and more voices are beginning to call for change.”