Birds of prayers: UK raptors under heavy fire
There’s no escape for our talon-bearing friends as raptors continue to face illegal persecution across the UK.
Britain is home to a fascinating array of birds of prey.
These range from the kestrels and buzzards which frequent suburbia to the elusive golden eagle of the highlands.
The majestic peregrine falcon is renowned for its extraordinary 230 mph stoops, hallmarking it as the fastest animal on the planet.
So ingrained are these beautiful birds in our ecosystem that it is easy to forget that 11 of our 15 raptor species are listed as ‘threatened’.
Two, the hen harrier and the white-tailed eagle, are particularly at risk of extinction.
While raptors face the same threats as most other animals through habitat destruction, a malicious reality has surfaced over the years.
“Birds of prey bring our skies to life. There is nothing like seeing a diving peregrine or a skydancing hen harrier,” said RSPB conservation officer Martin Harper.
“The sights of these spectacular birds are something we should all be able to enjoy, unfortunately illegal activity is stopping this and preventing these birds from flourishing.”
The RSPB’s Birdcrime 2016 report, released at the start of this month, revealed a continuing trend of widespread and illegal raptor killing.
Excruciatingly, the 81 confirmed persecution incidents are feared to represent ‘the tip of the iceberg’ and 2016 was the first year in three decades with no successful prosecutions.
This has frustrated conservationists such as Dr Campbell Murn, head of conservation and research at Andover’s famed Hawk Conservancy Trust.
“Like all sensible people, we are disappointed and frustrated that these results are the way they are, though not, sadly, surprised,” Dr Campbell said.
When asked what the average citizen could do to help conserve birds of prey, he added: “Be interested in them, watch them and learn more about them — that they are part of our wildlife and (of) a fascinating and complex ecosystem.
“Call out or report bird crime if you see it or hear it, and use rodenticides responsibly.
“My personal view is that one really good way for people to ‘help’ is to not be prejudiced about birds of prey.”
Why are these winged beauties so disdained? Despite legal sanctuary under the Protection of Birds Act, many raptors perish in the rifle sights of grouse shooters.
Outlawed pole and cage traps appear to be the overzealous gamekeeper’s backup weapon of choice, while some raptors also fall to stray toxins in their food as alluded to by Dr Campbell.
This mostly happens in the name of protecting grouse stocks, as explained by the high incidence of raptor persecution around grouse-shooting estates in Northern England and Scotland.
Although particularly prevalent in the North, scattered incidents extend as far as Hampshire and Sussex.
Some of these are doubtlessly fuelled by misconceptions, such as overestimations of the risk that raptors pose to livestock— not just grouse but also other domesticated birds such as racing pigeons.
Is there any hope? Possibly — the RSPB has taken the bleakness of the situation as a sign that something needs to be done, and are calling for governmental action.
The Scottish government has set a sound example with the formation of independent regulatory panels, as well as proposals to introduce a licensing system for grouse-shooting estates.
Indeed, Scotland has defied trends by showing a drastic decrease in raptor persecution in the last year.
Additionally, the remarkable resurgence of species such as the red kite and hobby during the 20th century has demonstrated the resilience of raptors and bodes well for the future if quick action is taken.
Hopefully the steadfast hover of the kestrel, the distinctive shriek of the buzzard and the prospect of the odd courting harrier will continue to add character to our countryside for years to come.
Any suspected incidents of bird crime should be reported to crime@rspb.org.uk or 01767 680551.
