RSPB report says Norfolk worst for killing of birds of prey

Protected species continue to be illegally killed in high numbers, particularly in relation to land managed for gamebird shooting, the RSPB has warned. 

Its Birdcrime 2021 report, published today, reveals 108 confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution in the UK.

The total includes 50 buzzards, 16 red kites, seven peregrines and three goshawks. Rare hen harriers and white-tailed eagles continue to be affected. The majority were either shot, trapped or poisoned.

Over two thirds of all confirmed incidents of raptor persecution related to land managed for gamebird shooting, where birds of prey are seen by some as a threat to gamebird stocks and illegally killed.

Norfolk, which has a long history of pheasant and partridge shooting, is the worst county based on 2021 data with 13 incidents.

Among recent successful RSPB prosecutions in Norfolk was gamekeeper Matthew Stroud who dosed dead pheasants with strychnine to kill buzzards near Weeting Heath and Breckland Forest, both protected sites.

All birds of prey are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Scientific papers, intelligence and satellite tagging studies for key species such as hen harrier suggest the figures are only the tip of a far larger iceberg, and that many killings go undetected and unreported.

Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said: “The evidence shows that the illegal persecution of birds of prey - which is time and time again linked to gamebird shooting - is holding back the recovery of some key species. 

“This year’s Birdcrime report is another reminder of the appalling methods deployed by some, and why there is a need for swift and effective change in our countryside.”

Other raptor crime hot spots include Dorset and North Yorkshire, which includes heathland grouse, pheasant and partridge shooting.

The RSPB report calls for an introduction of licences for all driven grouse shooting and better enforcement of existing regulation and additional regulation for pheasant and partridge shooting.

Mark Thomas, head of investigations, said: “The illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning of birds of prey has no place in modern society. 

“In a nature and climate emergency, the deliberate destruction of protected species for financial gain is completely devastating and unacceptable.”

Adrian Blackmore, a director of the Countryside Alliance, said: “ There is no excuse for the illegal killing of any bird of prey, and we unreservedly condemn all such acts and have a zero tolerance policy towards any such incident.

"While many reports of such persecution have proven to be false, the illegal killing of birds of prey continues to be carried out by a small minority of irresponsible individuals who  must be condemned.

"These people have no place in a sector that is otherwise overwhelmingly positive; one that is the economic driver for many of our more remote communities, and the largest contributor to conservation schemes in England and Wales”.