UK laws are failing birds of prey as widespread killing continues

Almost one thousand protected birds of prey were confirmed as illegally killed in the UK between 2015 and 2024, a new RSPB report reveals.  

Although all birds of prey have been protected under UK laws for over 60 years, the report, Patterns of Persecution, found that these protected species continue to be illegally targeted and killed.  

Between 2015 and 2024, 921 confirmed incidents were recorded across the UK. Of these, 48% were shooting related.  

In this ten-year period, 18 protected bird of prey species, including many reintroduced and recovering species of conservation concern, fell victim to these crimes. Buzzards were the hardest hit with 319 confirmed incidents recorded, followed by Red Kites (157 confirmed incidents) and Peregrines (97 confirmed incidents).  

Concerningly, as these crimes take place predominantly in remote and often inaccessible areas of the countryside, not all are detected. These figures therefore represent only the tip of the iceberg. 

Evidence, including police investigations, intelligence reports, eye-witness accounts and covert footage have shown that bird of prey persecution is significantly linked to the gamebird shooting industry.  

A total of 55% of confirmed incidents (2015-2024) were linked to land managed for gamebird shooting (21% grouse shooting, 28% pheasant and/or partridge shooting, and 6% mixed gamebird shooting). 

On some shooting estates birds of prey are being illegally shot, trapped or poisoned, nests and eggs destroyed, and chicks killed before they have fledged the nest. These often-brutal crimes are committed in an attempt to prevent any perceived threat to gamebird stocks, in an effort to maximise the number of gamebirds available to be shot.  

Despite hundreds of confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution being recorded in recent years, if there is no substantive evidence which links a person to the crime these incidents go unchallenged and unpunished. 

Between 2015 and 2024, despite hundreds of incidents being recorded, only 24 individuals were convicted of bird of prey persecution-related offences. Two thirds were associated with the gamebird industry and more than half were working as gamekeepers at the time. 

This latest report shows that these crimes continue to detrimentally impact Hen Harrier recovery in England and Scotland. This iconic and threatened Red-listed species has been persecuted for decades, resulting in their population being suppressed to a fraction of their natural capacity.  

Between 2015 and 2024, 49 confirmed Hen Harrier persecution incidents were recorded in the UK. The majority of these incidents took place on or near land managed for grouse shooting. In the same ten-years, 100 satellite tagged Hen Harriers disappeared in suspicious circumstances on or near grouse moors. They were suspected to have been illegally killed.  

To provide a meaningful deterrent and effectively challenge the illegal killing of birds of prey, the RSPB is supporting the introduction of a licensing scheme for all gamebird shooting in the UK.  

Under a civil burden of proof, licences could be suspended or revoked where evidence indicates bird of prey persecution has occurred on licensed land. The system would promote best practice, penalising only those who break the law while respecting the rights of responsible estates. Under this legislation, birds of prey would have the effective protection they desperately need. 

In 2024, Scotland took significant steps, introducing mandatory licensing of grouse shooting under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024. Now it is time for these protections to be extended across the UK, for all gamebirds shooting.  

James Robinson, RSPB Chief Operating Officer:

“As this report shows, existing UK laws continue to fail to protect our magnificent birds of prey. Without a meaningful deterrent, these crimes will continue. Eagles will be poisoned, Hen Harriers shot and Buzzards beaten to death in traps. All of these crimes are utterly unacceptable. 

“Frustratingly, under existing laws, those committing these crimes have been able to do so with little fear of retribution. This needs to change.  

“Regulation in the form of a licensing system is the most appropriate and fair way to achieve this – providing an effective and meaningful deterrent to those willing to commit these crimes and finally give these incredible species the protection they urgently need.” 

If you notice a dead or injured bird of prey in suspicious circumstances, call the police on 101 and let us know via the RSPB’s online reporting form .