Peregrine falcons poisoned

The police received information from a local birdwatcher about the first dead peregrine on April 7 2020. It was lying on a ledge next to a half-eaten pigeon.

RSPB Investigations Officers met North Yorkshire Police Wildlife Crime Officers at the location the following day, and an RSPB Officer abseiled 30 metres down into the quarry and recovered the body of the dead adult male peregrine.

It then became clear that there was a second bird dead in the water below. An RSPB Officer waded out to collect the adult female, presumed to be the first bird’s mate.

“Both birds were sent for toxicology testing under Natural England’s Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme,” said a spokesman.

“It has recently been confirmed that both the peregrines were illegally killed as a result of consuming a poisoned bait laced with the highly toxic insecticide bendiocarb.”

All birds of prey are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To intentionally kill or injure one is a criminal offence and could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months in jail.

In May 2020, the RSPB reported that raptor persecution had been continuing throughout lockdown, and that North Yorkshire Police were involved with a number of ongoing investigations.

Guy Shorrock, RSPB Senior Investigations Officer, said: “We believe the pigeon on the ledge was a poisoned bait, laced with the highly toxic substance in order to deliberately kill these two birds.

“This was a criminal act, at the height of lockdown, resulting not only in the loss of two magnificent birds but any chicks they might have raised.

“North Yorkshire sadly has a diabolical reputation for the illegal shooting, trapping and poisoning of birds of prey.

“I have been picking up the bodies of raptors for nearly 30 years, and in the current ecological emergency, this cannot continue. Our wildlife needs better protection.”

North Yorkshire Police Inspector Matt Hagen said: “Poisoning a bird of prey is a crime and it is saddening each time.”

“Every investigation is thoroughly carried out with all lines of enquiry followed to try and find those responsible, but we cannot do this without the public’s help, please be our eyes and ears and report this type of incident to the police.

“I’m urging anyone who has any information about bird of prey persecution to get in touch with the police, someone out there knows who is committing these crimes and we need that information to ensure they are stopped.”

Anyone with information relating to this incident, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote the crime reference: 12200057190.

Please also report suspected poisoning incidents to 0800 321600.