‘Persecution’ of raptors at a high

Dozens of birds of prey were illegally shot, poisoned or trapped in Britain last year, conservationists have said.

The RSPB’S annual bird crime report found there were 108 confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution in Britain in 2021, with 80 in England – the second highest annual total for the country after a surge of cases in 2020.

Incidents included 41 shootings or attempted shootings, 32 poisonings and 18 trapping incidents, along with other cases of persecution and illegal nest destruction.

A total of 91 birds of prey were affected, including 50 buzzards, 16 red kites, seven peregrines and three goshawks, as well as a hen harrier, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, two sparrowhawks and a number of different owls.

The RSPB warned that annual totals in the report are only the tip of the iceberg and many killings of birds of prey go undetected and unreported.*