8 July 2009

An RSPB press release reports that 2009 looks like being one of the worst on record for crimes against Peregrines. The organisation has been flooded with reports of birds being poisoned, trapped and shot and of their chicks being taken from the nest.

Rare birds still persecuted in Devon

With the breeding season well underway we are now getting into the period where in previous years there have been incidents of raptor persecution at their breeding sites. Although some people think this does not happen in Devon, unfortunately it still does. The rather grim picture below shows a poisoned Peregrine on top of the poison-laced pigeon that killed it. The loss of this adult resulted in the young starving to death in the nest on this occasion.

Poisoned Peregrine – Devon – © Mark Darlaston