The RSPB’s annual Birdcrime Report highlights the size of chook of prey persecution and divulges the hotspots of confirmed and suspected unlawful killing within the north of England.
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The report paperwork that 38 Hen Harriers have disappeared in suspicious circumstances in Northern England since January 2022 alone, together with 14 birds (37 per cent) from the Government-backed brood administration
scheme, this determine is unfortunately believed to be a document excessive and lots of are the topic of on-going police investigations.
Data gathered by the RSPB reveals chook of prey incidents throughout the entire of Northern England, together with Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland.
The Birdcrime Report particulars some horrific and brazen acts of Hen Harrier persecution.
In 2021, a satellite-tagged chook disappeared from a Durham grouse moor with the tag later discovered connected to a lifeless carrion crow.
In the Yorkshire Dales National Park, an space dominated by pushed grouse moors close to Birkdale, at the moment has the very best density of confirmed and suspected persecution within the UK.
Eight satellite-tagged Hen Harriers are confirmed as having been illegally killed or have suspiciously disappeared on this space alone since January 2022, with most of those birds sending their last knowledge at this location earlier than vanishing.
In the identical space in May 2022, the physique of a male satellite-tagged Hen Harrier, known as Free, was recovered by Natural England employees right here.
A autopsy examination confirmed he had been illegally killed and his head had been pulled off whereas nonetheless alive.
North Yorkshire Police carried out an investigation, however inadequate proof meant no-one was charged.
The investigation has since closed, however Hen Harriers have continued to fade within the space.
Even birds breeding on RSPB reserves aren’t protected with a satellite-tagged chook known as Dagda discovered shot lifeless on a neighbouring moor in May 2023.
Satellite-tagging of this species is utilized by scientists to observe birds’ actions, and sadly highlights the losses taking place.
This info additionally helps to uncover suspected persecution hotspots.
Recent research of satellite-tagged Hen Harriers throughout England have highlighted clear hyperlinks between persecution of this uncommon species and land managed for pushed grouse capturing.
If a satellite-tagged Hen Harrier’s transmission all of a sudden stops with none proof of a tag malfunction, and the tag or chook will not be recovered, it’s recorded as a ‘suspicious disappearance’.
Despite proof suggesting these birds had been illegally killed, the possibilities of anybody being dropped at justice for the crime are slim.
The RSPB believes power persecution of Hen Harriers in England will proceed to hamper the species’ restoration except important regulation is launched.
The charity is at the moment pushing for licensing of pushed grouse capturing in England, much like laws going by the Scottish Parliament, which might considerably scale back chook of prey persecution.
Mark Thomas, RSPB Head of Investigations UK, mentioned: “Despite being absolutely protected by regulation, and a threatened species within the UK, Hen Harriers are being illegally persecuted on a relentless scale. The majority disappear round land managed for gamebird capturing, notably on grouse moors.
“The fast licensing of pushed grouse capturing is important, with law-abiding landowners and grouse moor managers having nothing to worry.”
If you may have details about anybody killing birds of prey which you want to report anonymously, name the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.
