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Chris Ryan backs call to end bird crime

Last modified: 06 May 2008

Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan - (RSPB)

Chris Ryan, the Newcastle-born SAS soldier turned bestselling novelist, is supporting calls for an end to the illegal killing of the region’s birds of prey.

Today (Tuesday 6 May), Chris pledged his support for the RSPB’s campaign to stop the illegal killing of birds of prey, which is preventing local people from seeing amazing birds such as hen harriers, golden eagles and peregrine falcons in the wild.

Inspiration for the plot of the latest Chris Ryan thriller, Vortex, which is published today, came from watching a pair of hen harriers – one of England’s rarest birds – at a secret Northumberland nest site last year.

Making his pledge

Mr Ryan backed the RSPB campaign by adding his name to those demanding a halt to the illegal killing of birds of prey. During a visit to the RSPB's Northern England regional office in Newcastle, Mr Ryan signed a giant pledge card calling for better safeguards for birds of prey, including red kites, hen harriers and golden eagles.

'I am appalled to hear that some species of birds of prey are still not welcome in parts of the region.'

Mr Ryan said: 'The return of red kites to urban Tyneside has been a fantastic success, but it’s disappointing that equally amazing birds such as hen harriers and peregrine falcons are still rare in northern England as a result of illegal persecution. As someone who loves the countryside and wildlife of North East England, I am appalled to hear that some species of birds of prey are still not welcome in parts of the region.'

Continued illegal killing is putting the hen harrier at risk of extinction in England – where last year only 15 pairs nested successfully – and preventing golden eagles from recolonising northern England from Southern Scotland.

The RSPB is alarmed by an increase in the number of attacks reported against birds of prey in northern England last year. Although all birds of prey have had full legal protection in the UK since 1954, a provisional analysis of bird of prey incidents in 2007 shows no decrease in the number of crimes against wild birds. There were 23 incidents in Northumberland, 15 in Cumbria and 80 in North Yorkshire. The RSPB believes that many more crimes against birds of prey go unreported.

On a Wing and a Prayer

A new report, On a Wing and a Prayer, released today is endorsed by 26 organisations, including the RSPB, National Trust, The Ramblers’ Association and The Kennel Club. The coalition of conservation, countryside and welfare groups is call for increased efforts to tackle the illegal killing of the UK’s birds of prey.

Dr Peter Robertson, the RSPB’s northern England conservation manager, said: 'Birds of prey have a special place in the countryside. They are a popular part of our natural and cultural heritage, giving pleasure to millions and bringing income through tourism. However, the levels of deliberate, illegal killing in some areas demonstrate that intolerance towards birds of prey remains strong enough for some people to flout the law.'

Chris Ryan added: 'The presence of birds of prey in our skies is a sign of a healthy environment. For a thriller writer, birds of prey are also a constant source of inspiration. The male hen harrier performs amazing aerobatics, and the female is incredibly well camouflaged and a fearless defender of her nest. Peregrine falcons are nature’s jet fighters and one of the fastest animals on earth, while kestrels hover motionless like a helicopter, beating their wings an amazing six times a second.

'Birds of prey are amazing, so let’s keep them that way. I urge everyone who cares about wildlife and the countryside to back the call to stop the illegal killing of these beautiful and spectacular birds.'

What can I do?

Birds of prey continue to be mercilessly killed, despite the fact that it is illegal and has been for decades. Please add your name to our online pledge and say 'the killing must stop'.

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