Surfbirds News

The RSPB today (26 May 2005) expressed its outrage at the news that three birds of prey found dead near the Society's Geltsdale nature reserve in Cumbria had been poisoned by a banned pesticide.

The body of an adult male peregrine falcon was found dead on the southern boundary of the reserve at the end of March, and post mortem analysis has revealed that the bird died as a result of poisoning by the banned agricultural pesticide carbofuran.

The peregrine was one of a pair that was known to be holding territory on the reserve earlier in the year and looked likely to nest.

In a second incident, expert analysis has confirmed that a dead buzzard, one of two found last month less than two miles from the reserve, also died from carbofuran poisoning. The birds were found next to a dead rabbit which was laced with carbofuran and had apparently been used as 'bait'.

The RSPB Geltsdale reserve covers an area of more than 5,000 hectares in the North Pennines between Carlisle and Haltwhistle and is dominated by moorland with a fringe of farmland and woodland.

The RSPB is appealing for anyone who has any information about the death of the birds to contact Cumbria police. Peregrine falcons and buzzards are fully protected under UK law and anyone convicted of killing one of the birds could receive a term of imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine of up to £5,000.

RSPB North England regional director, Andy Bunten, said: "I am shocked by news of these incidents and angry that such rare and spectacular birds died in this way. We were optimistic that a pair of peregrine falcons would nest on the reserve and the death of the male bird is a terrible blow. It is appalling that a protected bird of prey can be found poisoned on a nature reserve. It is clear to me that someone in the area has a callous disregard for wildlife and the safety of local people."

A recent report produced by the RSPB revealed that crimes against birds of prey are continuing at an unacceptably high level. The Birdcrime 2003 report documents 560 crimes against wild birds, including 143 cases of shooting and destruction of birds of prey and 91 cases of illegal poisoning.

Since 1995, there has been a shocking catalogue of persecution incidents in the Geltsdale area involving birds of prey and other wildlife. Incidents logged by the RSPB include: 1995 - at least seven hen harrier nests failed due to persecution; 1996 - shot peregrine found on Geltsdale Reserve and two peregrines believed shot at nearby site; 1997 - male harrier shot; 1998 - attempted shooting of buzzard and corpse of a shot harrier found on the reserve; 1999 - female harrier poisoned and two ravens poisoned by carbofuran found on Geltsdale Reserve; 2000 - female harrier shot; 2001 - six eggs disappeared from a harrier nest.

Mr Bunten added: "It is apparent that over the years, person or persons unknown have carried out deliberate illegal acts of bird of prey killing on or near the reserve and this situation cannot be tolerated any longer. The illegal use of deadly poisons in the countryside creates a serious risk to people, their pets and to wildlife. I urge anyone who has any information about who is responsible for these dangerous and despicable crimes against wildlife to come forward and contact the police."

Peregrine falcons are rare breeding birds and the most recent survey in 2002 gave a total of 1,402 pairs in the UK. The falcon is the fastest bird in the world and can reach speeds of around 180kph (112mph) when it stoops after prey.

Only two weeks ago, the RSPB expressed its concern about the risk from illegal persecution to a pair of hen harriers, one of England's rarest birds of prey, which looked likely to nest on the Geltsdale reserve. The Society announced that it would be forced to launch a 24-hour guard on the birds if they nest.

For further information please contact:
David Hirst, RSPB regional press officer: 0191 233 4321 or 07885 834889
Andre Farrar, RSPB PR manager 01767 680551
Guy Shorrock, RSPB Investigations Department: 01767 680551 or 07885 255830