Lockdown ‘gives green light to kill off our birds of prey’
WILDLIFE EXPERTS and police have raised concerns over the number of reports of birds of prey being illegally killed during lockdown.
The RSPB investigations unit said it had been overrun with reports of illegal killings of hen harriers, peregrines, buzzards and red kites.
Superintendent Nick Lyall, head of the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group, said it appeared the coronavirus lockdown had been “seen as a green light” by some to continue illegally killing birds.
The RSPB said police were investigating a number of cases of shootings and suspected poisoning of birds of prey following reports by the public, including on land managed for grouse shooting.
All birds of prey are protected by law and intentionally killing or injuring one is a criminal offence and could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months in jail.
The birds are more visible and vulnerable in spring, when they start to breed.
RSPB head of investigations Mark Thomas said: “It is clear that criminals on some sporting estates, both in the uplands and lowlands, have used the wider closure of the countryside as an opportunity to ramp up their efforts to kill birds of prey.”
While the RSPB encouraged the public to report any suspicious incidents, the charity also urged people to observe Government guidelines at all times.
Mr Lyall said: “Over recent weeks, I have been sickened by the number of raptor persecution
cases that have come to my attention as chair of the Raptor Persecution Delivery Group.
“I know there are officers currently investigating a number of crimes against wild birds of prey which have occurred since lockdown began.
“It is clear that lockdown has been seen as a green light by those involved in raptor persecution offences to continue committing crimes, presumably in the belief that there are fewer people around to catch them doing so.”