We’re not a team that's often associated with good news. When you hear from us, it’s usually because a beautiful bird of prey has been killed in a dreadful way, or another criminal has been handed a fine that feels, let’s say, unsatisfactory.
But this time we have a reason to celebrate – and it’s thanks to you!
Last year, we sought funding to secure three vital posts that were up for renewal. This included the launch of a new regular giving appeal along with an appeal that was led by the Philanthropy Team. We’re over the moon to report that we’ve hit our target, enabling the three roles to continue. Plus, an incredibly generous gesture from one philanthropic donor will support the work of a further member of the team.
The Investigations team has a simple mission, and that’s to end the illegal killing of birds of prey. You know it and we know it: Peregrines, Hen Harriers, Buzzards, Goshawks, White-tailed Eagles, Golden Eagles and other magnificent birds of prey are all still – in the 21st century – being shot, trapped or poisoned in significant numbers. UK laws are too often failing to protect them, and the criminality continues.
By having Investigations Officers on the ground, and experts working behind the scenes, we’re able to challenge this culture of criminality by gathering evidence, helping secure convictions, and exposing the truth about raptor persecution. We’re a small team, covering the whole of the UK, that someone described as ‘punching above its weight’, so we need to keep all the resources we can.
Specifically, the money raised helps continue the work of an Investigations Officer in Scotland, who works covertly to protect Golden Eagles and other raptors. It also secured another Investigator, Dean, who recently began looking into the raptor persecution issue in Northern Ireland. Despite 89 confirmed incidents in the past 15 years, there have been no convictions for raptor-related offences in Northern Ireland, so there is clearly work to be done.
The RSPB is science-led and our Investigations work is guided by data. Understanding trends and spotting patterns helps direct our fieldwork on a daily basis, ensuring our Investigations Officers are in the right place to catch people committing crimes against birds of prey. Behind that data is Robin, our amazing Intelligence Officer. As well as directing our fieldwork, the indisputable facts he’s able to put forward in reports like Birdcrime are vital when we’re appealing to governments for stronger laws to protect birds of prey.
These roles are all essential in bringing us closer to reaching our goal of stopping raptor crime. Your contributions, both big and small, have directly helped our team to take on more investigators to cover the whole of the UK. This will help us catch more criminals and save more birds – without question. It’s a long road, but you’ve just helped us take a huge stride forward.
No-one else investigates raptor crime like we do. Without us – without you – appalling crimes like Buzzards being beaten to death, Red Kites poisoned in public places where people are walking their dogs, and vulnerable Hen Harriers being blasted from the skies, would go undetected and unchecked.
A heartfelt thanks goes out from all of us for your unwavering support. We’re constantly humbled by the support you give... Each donation, and each letter, email or comment is a reminder that we’re doing this not only for the birds, but on behalf of everyone who respects nature and wants the law upheld and birds better protected.
We are always on the lookout for support, so if you know someone who might consider sponsoring our fight against raptor persecution please get in touch.
We simply couldn’t do it without you.