New bird report finds decrease in crime against raptors in the Dark Peak

The Peak District Bird of Prey Initiative 2019 breeding season report compiles data on birds of prey nesting within the Dark Peak region of the Peak District National Park.

Cases of reported wildlife crime activity against raptors in the study area dropped from several incidents in 2018, to one suspected buzzard poisoning case plus one suspected theft of young from a peregrine nest in 2019.

The report highlighted the continuing improvements in the relationships between raptor fieldworkers, gamekeepers and shooting estates, noting that in areas where co-operation has improved, some of the larger raptor species are doing better.

The report also showed the unprecedented fledging of goshawks from all eight nests monitored within the study area, along with the return of hen harriers once again to a nest in the Peak District.

Amanda Anderson, director of the Moorland Association, said: “The report is very encouraging and is testament to the hard work undertaken by gamekeepers and raptor fieldworkers. We are delighted to see a reduction in reported incidents of wildlife crime. This is following on the heels of the new joint declaration by the leading rural organisations expressing a zero-tolerance policy towards bird of prey persecution .

“But a single confirmed incident of raptor persecution is one too many and land managers in the Peak District are working as part of the solution to stamp it out completely.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​