RSPB highlights 'bird crime' incidents in Teesdale

THE North East is one of the worst regions in the UK for bird of prey persecution, according to an RSPB survey which has revealed that two short-eared owls and a peregrine were shot in Teesdale.

The birds found at Selset

Illegal persecution of birds of prey is still happening all too regularly in the UK countryside including the North East according to the RSPB’s Birdcrime 2015 report.
The charity is asking the Government to take “urgent action now to stop this slaughter”.
The RSPB’s Birdcrime 2015 report reveals 196 reports of shooting and destruction of birds of prey in the UK including the confirmed shooting of 16 buzzards, 11 peregrines, three red kites, one red-footed falcon and one hen harrier.
The report also shows 50 reports of wildlife poisoning and pesticide-related offences. Confirmed victims of poisoning include 15 buzzards, four red kites, and three peregrine falcons.
These figures represent only a fraction of the illegal persecution in the UK, with many incidents going undetected and unreported, the charity claims.
Martin Harper, RSPB director of conservation, said: “The North East is one of the worst regions in the UK for bird of prey persecution.
“Birdcrime 2015 reveals that there were four confirmed incidents against raptors in Northumberland including a poisoned buzzard, a shot buzzard and a shot kestrel.
“In County Durham there were three confirmed incidents; these included the discovery of two shot short-eared owls near Selset Reservoir, a shot peregrine at Bishop Middleham and another shot peregrine at Barnard Castle.”
The owls shot at Selset were reported to police in October 2015.
Last week, news emerged that a hen harrier has been found dead in Northumberland.
Post mortem evidence indicates that the satellite tracked hen harrier, named Carroll, had died of natural causes but was carrying two shotgun pellets, having survived an earlier shooting incident.
The bird was satellite tagged and fledged last summer as part of the RSPB’s Hen Harrier LIFE project.
Mr Harper said: “Our birds of prey are magnificent creatures and the sight of a hen harrier’s dramatic skydancing display flight is simply breathtaking.
“Everyone should be able to witness this but sadly millions of people are denied this opportunity.
“Our uplands are deprived of some amazing wildlife because of ongoing illegal persecution and it has to stop.”
He said public anger is growing stronger over the ongoing persecution of our birds of prey and the state of our uplands, and more voices are beginning to call for change.
Mr Harper added: “There is growing public support to reform driven grouse shooting. People care deeply about the future of our birds of prey and their concerns must not be ignored.
“The status quo is not an option and we continue to call, throughout the UK, for the introduction of a robust licensing system for driven grouse shooting and an offence of vicarious liability for employers whose staff commit wildlife crime.
“Change is essential if we are to improve the environmental condition of our uplands.”
The proposal for driven grouse shooting to be licensed was debated by MPs in the House of Commons in November. Any idea of doing this or banning the sport was rejected, although tackling illegal persecution was deemed a priority.
MPS said a ban would be bad for the environment, rural economy and would cause flooding.