This illegal killing must stop
Shockingly – despite laws in black and white to protect them – birds of prey are being shot, poisoned and trapped. It’s illegal. Immoral. Indefensible. The criminals must be brought to justice. The RSPB investigates raptor persecution and works with the police to catch the culprits. Please support this vital work today by becoming a bird of prey defender.
Become a bird of prey defender today
Sadly, we know gamekeepers are often responsible for the killing. Whilst some driven grouse moor estates promote conservation, others support the killing of golden eagles, rare hen harriers and peregrine falcons. We must stop them getting away with it.
The killing even continued throughout lockdown. It’s simply criminal. We will investigate and do everything we can to bring this to an end. We won’t stop until the killing stops. Together, we will bring life and colour back to the countryside.

Become a bird of prey defender
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Illegal. Immoral. Indefensible.
Find out how Jack Ashton-Booth of the RSPB Investigations team is helping fight bird crime.
Find out how Jack Ashton-Booth of the RSPB Investigations team is helping fight bird crime.

See also
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Lockdown crimewave
2020 was the worst year on record for crimes against birds of prey. One of the victims was this buzzard, found to have been shot not once but twice in the Peak District National Park.
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Hen harriers under pressure
Illegal killing is the number one factor limiting the UK hen harrier population. Satellite tagging helps shine a light on this, showing us when and where birds die or disappear. With your help we can continue to monitor and protect them.
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Buzzards shot - video
In 2020 RSPB staff witnessed two buzzards being shot on a North Yorkshire grouse moor. You can help us deploy fieldworkers to the right place at the right time, with the necessary kit to catch these criminals red-handed.
Bird crime mapped out
Our interactive bird crime map is the most complete set of known raptor persecution incidents in the UK. Take a look and you could find bird crime is taking place on your doorstop.
It shows where incidents have taken place over the last 14 years revealing raptor persecution blackspots. By helping us collect vital evidence like this you can help us focus on the areas where birds of prey most need our protection.
See the true scale of bird crime


Become a bird of prey defender today
See the Impact of your gift
So you can see the huge difference your regular gift will make to help stop bird crime, we’ll send you the RSPB’s Impact newsletter twice a year, either by post or email.

“Imagine the skies without birds of prey. They should be untouchable.”
Jack Ashton-Booth
RSPB Birdcrime Investigator

