Birdcrime still on the rise in the UK – 384 reported incidents in 2009

A mother took this photo with her child sat next to a buzzard's last meal, not knowing it was laced with a deadly insecticide.Credit B Kinnaird.

September 2010. 2009 was another shocking year for the persecution of birds of prey with incidents of shooting, trapping and poisoning, according to the RSPB's 20th annual Birdcrime report.

With 384 reported persecution incidents against birds of prey in the UK, 2009 was the second worst year for these crimes in the last decade. Only 2007, with 389 cases, was worse.

Worst area in England
Twenty years of reporting in Birdcrime, has revealed that several police force areas suffer higher levels of bird of prey persecution. In England top of the league are: North Yorkshire; West Mercia; Northumbria; Devon & Cornwall; and Cumbria.

Hen harrier persecution The hen harrier is on the brink of extinction in England as a breeding species, with just six successful pairs in 2009. This is the species most affected by persecution, despite the fact it there is sufficient habitat to support well over 200 pairs. A report published by Natural England in 2008 showed that nest failures as a result of adults "disappearing" were seven times more common on grouse moors than any other land type. Modelling suggests the UK's driven grouse moors could support 500 nesting pairs of hen harriers; in 2008 there were just five. Credit Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

In the report, the RSPB has identified 11 recommendations for government action, so that these appalling crimes can be eradicated.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Conservation Director, said: "Wildlife crimes are an abhorrent feature of our countryside. And for the sake of eagles, kites, harriers, buzzards, falcons and ospreys we have to take more action to consign these crimes to history. Over time, egg collecting has diminished, but the killing of birds of prey is as big a threat today as it was two decades ago.

"Earlier this year, the former Wildlife Minister - Huw Irranca-Davies - was one of more than 210,000 people to sign a pledge to protect birds of prey. This is a powerful voice and we will not rest until their cries have been heard by government."

Top wildlife crime priority
In 2009, the government announced that bird of prey persecution was one of the top wildlife crime priorities. In view of the current spending review, the RSPB is concerned that resources to tackle wildlife crime will be seen as a soft option. The RSPB wants to see: a commitment from the government to tackling these crimes; long-term funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit; and a full wildlife crime review in England.

During 2009, there were 384 reported incidents of bird of prey persecution in the UK, including: 224 in England; 123 in Scotland; 17 in Wales; and 11 in Northern Ireland. Nine crimes against birds of prey could not be assigned to a country and were recorded at a UK level.

Upland grouse moors have particular problem
The conflict with land managed for the shooting of game birds remains the main problem for birds of prey, particularly the upland grouse-shooting estates in northern England and Scotland. The main birds of prey affected are: golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, hen harrier, goshawk, peregrine and red kite.

The RSPB is concerned the shooting industry appears unable to self-police and the Society believes new legislation is required to make the managers and employers of those committing these crimes legally accountable. Options such as vicarious liability - that holds these people accountable for crimes committed by their staff - and removing the shooting rights for individuals and errant estates need to be considered. These measures would provide a significant deterrent without imposing a burden on legitimate shooting interests.

Although crimes against birds of prey are widespread across the UK, analysis of the figures by the RSPB over the past two decades shows that some constabulary areas are hotspots for wildlife crime.

In England, since 1990, the five police forces with the highest levels of ‘confirmed' crimes against birds of prey have been: North Yorkshire with 64 confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents; West Mercia with 61 confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents; Northumbria with 58 confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents; Devon and Cornwall with 57 confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents; Cumbria with 47 confirmed bird of prey persecution incidents;   RSPB remain concerned at the lack of police action following the second poisoning of a white-tailed eagle in Angus, Scotland. Credit RSPB (rspb-images.com)

The list of government recommendations, includes: Commitment from all UK Governments to maintain legal protection for all birds of prey and to improve its enforcement Conduct a full review of the enforcement of wildlife crime in England and Wales, and fully implement the recommendations of the thematic review in Scotland Secure long-term funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit Increase support for the UK Wildlife Crime Priority to tackle raptor persecution and address inadequate law enforcement.  Add peregrine to the species covered by the raptor persecution UK Wildlife Crime Priority Increase effectiveness and profile of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW)  Introduction of the vicarious liability offence to make managers and employers responsible for the actions of their gamekeepers Improve recording and reporting of wildlife crime and make the killing of birds of prey a recorded crime Update legislative provisions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including controls on possession of pesticides Work with the European Union to strengthen the penalties available under cross compliance so that anyone contravening EU Wildlife Directives faces having their single farm payment withdrawn Modernise the regulation of game shooting.