The latest annual Birdcrime report published by the RSPB reveals that the illegal persecution of birds of prey remains an ongoing problem with common buzzards and red kites being the worst affected species.
Please note external videos may contain ads:
The report identifies 108 confirmed cases of illegal killing of birds of prey in 2021, of which 80 incidents were in England, the second worst year on record.
“The data within our report clearly show that raptor persecution in connection with gamebird shooting remains at a significantly high level, especially in England,” says Mark Thomas, the RSPB's UK head of investigations.
A spokesperson for Aim to Sustain (a new partnership of nine leading shooting, biodiversity and rural community organisations) responds: “Any incident of raptor persecution is to be condemned and the game shooting sector is clear that the weight of the law should be applied to those who indulge in such activity.”
Main image: An RSPB investigations officer holds a poisoned white-tailed eagle. The bird was found in Dorset. © Mark Thomas/RSPB
