Birds of Prey Under Threat: RSPB Report Reveals Ongoing Persecution

The RSPB recorded 921 confirmed attacks on Britain's rarest birds of prey between 2015 and 2024.
More than half of these attacks occurred on or near land managed for game shooting.
The RSPB is calling for gamebird shooting in England and Wales to be licensed to prevent further persecution.
Shooting organisations oppose the proposals, arguing that licensing would penalise responsible estates and risk conservation work.
The government has not backed the RSPB's proposals but will work with the shooting sector to explore wider measures, including licensing.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has released a report detailing the ongoing persecution of Britain's rarest birds of prey. The charity's investigations unit has recorded 921 confirmed attacks between 2015 and 2024, with more than half of these incidents occurring on or near land managed for game shooting. The RSPB believes that these killings are motivated by financial gain, as birds of prey are targeted to prevent them from taking young gamebirds, thereby leaving more birds for paying customers to shoot.

The RSPB's report highlights the need for urgent action to protect these iconic species. The charity is calling for gamebird shooting in England and Wales to be licensed, arguing that this would provide a more effective deterrent against persecution. However, shooting organisations oppose the proposals, claiming that licensing would penalise responsible estates and risk conservation work.

Birds of Prey Persecution: The Full Story Explained

The RSPB's investigations unit, staffed by former police officers and bird experts, works to identify those suspected of killing protected birds. The unit uses a range of techniques, including hidden-camera footage and forensic analysis, to gather evidence and build cases against perpetrators. In recent years, the RSPB has secured several convictions, including three this year, which have resulted in fines and other penalties for those involved.

One of the cases involved a head gamekeeper, Racster Dingwall, who was caught on camera attempting to kill a protected hen harrier. Dingwall later admitted the offence and was ordered to pay a fine of £1,520. The RSPB believes that such cases demonstrate the need for stronger action to prevent persecution and protect Britain's birds of prey.

Historical Context: Has This Happened Before?

The persecution of birds of prey is not a new phenomenon. Historically, these birds have been seen as a threat to game shooting and other human activities, and have been targeted as a result. However, in recent decades, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of conserving these species and their habitats. The RSPB and other conservation organisations have worked tirelessly to protect Britain's birds of prey, but the ongoing persecution highlighted in the RSPB's report demonstrates that there is still much work to be done.

According to the RSPB, recorded incidents of bird of prey persecution have fallen in recent years, but the charity argues that the long-term pattern shows that criminal prosecutions alone are not enough to prevent these crimes. The RSPB believes that licensing gamebird shooting in England and Wales, as is already the case in Scotland, would provide a more effective deterrent against persecution and help to protect these iconic species.

Birds of Prey Persecution: Economic & Real-World Impact

The persecution of birds of prey has significant economic and real-world implications. The RSPB estimates that the shooting sector spends around £500m a year on conservation work, which is equivalent to 26,000 full-time jobs and 14m workdays. However, the charity argues that this investment is undermined by the ongoing persecution of birds of prey, which can have a negative impact on the reputation of the shooting sector as a whole.

In addition to the economic implications, the persecution of birds of prey also has significant real-world consequences. The loss of these iconic species can have a profound impact on ecosystems, leading to a decline in biodiversity and the health of the environment. The RSPB believes that it is essential to take action to prevent persecution and protect Britain's birds of prey, not just for the sake of these species, but for the health of the environment as a whole.

Expert Analysis & What Comes Next

According to Professor Davy McCracken, from Scotland's Rural College, the tension between protecting birds of prey and managing land for grouse shooting is ultimately economic. 'That is where the root of the conflict actually lands,' he says. However, McCracken agrees that persecution is carried out by a minority of those with game-shooting interests, and says that focusing only on them can obscure conservation work elsewhere in the sector.

The RSPB's report highlights the need for urgent action to protect Britain's birds of prey. The charity's call for gamebird shooting in England and Wales to be licensed is a sensible and proportionate response to the ongoing persecution of these iconic species. - Mark Thomas, head of the RSPB's investigations unit

The RSPB's report has sparked a lively debate about the future of gamebird shooting in England and Wales. While some argue that licensing would penalise responsible estates and risk conservation work, others believe that it is essential to take action to prevent persecution and protect Britain's birds of prey. As the government considers its response to the RSPB's report, it is clear that there are no easy answers, but one thing is certain: the fate of Britain's birds of prey hangs in the balance.

What This Means For You: Practical Guidance

If you are a birdwatcher or nature enthusiast, the RSPB's report is a sobering reminder of the ongoing threats faced by Britain's birds of prey. However, there are steps you can take to help protect these iconic species. By supporting conservation organisations like the RSPB, you can help to fund vital work to protect birds of prey and their habitats. You can also make a difference by choosing to visit and support responsible shooting estates that prioritise conservation and the protection of birds of prey.

If you are a landowner or game shooter, the RSPB's report highlights the importance of responsible and sustainable practices. By prioritising conservation and the protection of birds of prey, you can help to maintain the reputation of the shooting sector and ensure the long-term health of the environment. The RSPB's call for gamebird shooting in England and Wales to be licensed may seem daunting, but it is essential to consider the potential benefits of such a move, including increased transparency and accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RSPB's report about?

The RSPB's report details the ongoing persecution of Britain's rarest birds of prey, including the number of confirmed attacks and the motivations behind these killings. The report also highlights the need for urgent action to protect these iconic species and calls for gamebird shooting in England and Wales to be licensed.

Why are birds of prey being persecuted?

Birds of prey are being persecuted because they are seen as a threat to game shooting and other human activities. The RSPB believes that these killings are motivated by financial gain, as birds of prey are targeted to prevent them from taking young gamebirds, thereby leaving more birds for paying customers to shoot.

What can I do to help protect birds of prey?

There are several steps you can take to help protect birds of prey, including supporting conservation organisations like the RSPB, choosing to visit and support responsible shooting estates, and prioritising conservation and the protection of birds of prey if you are a landowner or game shooter.

What is the government's response to the RSPB's report?

The government has not backed the RSPB's call for gamebird shooting in England and Wales to be licensed, but has said that it will work with the shooting sector to explore wider measures, including licensing. The government believes that many estates already meet high environmental standards and wants all estates to achieve these same high standards.

What are the economic implications of bird of prey persecution?

The persecution of birds of prey has significant economic implications, including the potential to undermine the reputation of the shooting sector and the loss of investment in conservation work. The RSPB estimates that the shooting sector spends around £500m a year on conservation work, which is equivalent to 26,000 full-time jobs and 14m workdays.

The RSPB's report is a timely reminder of the ongoing threats faced by Britain's birds of prey. As the government considers its response to the report, it is clear that there are no easy answers, but one thing is certain: the fate of Britain's birds of prey hangs in the balance. By taking action to prevent persecution and protect these iconic species, we can help to maintain the health of the environment and ensure the long-term sustainability of the shooting sector.

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