The RSPB and Hertfordshire Police are appealing for information following the discovery of two poisoned red kites in the Chilterns.
The first bird was discovered by a member of the public in January 2012, close to a public footpath near the village of Hexton. The second bird was also found by a member of the public, hanging in a bush in March 2012 less than one mile away on the Pegsdon Hill Nature Reserve run by Bedfordshire Wildlife Trust.
Tests have apparently revealed both birds had been poisoned with a highly toxic banned pesticide, although the name of the poison has not been given. On May 2nd, a multi-agency search of the area recovered a number of samples that have been sent for analysis.
The RSPB is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
It’s interesting to note that neither of these poisoned kites were mentioned in the national press at the time they were discovered, nor is there an explanation for why it took four months from the first discovery for a search to be conducted. There is no mention of this investigation on the Hertfordshire Police website – the only publicity appears to be on the RSPB website. Whilst the investigation and (rather late) publicity is to be welcomed, the chances of anybody being charged for these offences now seem pretty slim.
RSPB news release here
Raptor Persecution UK 
I had a terrible feeling it wouldn’t be long before this started to happen in the Chilterns. The ‘rumbles’ have been coming for a while and haven’t been helped by the recent irresponsible press story emanating from the lunatic ‘model’ who claimed she had to beat off a Red Kite which was intent on devouring her Pomeranian dog (well it would be a Pom wouldn’t it!). The trouble is, Joe public believes it. When oh when will the police and magistrates start to take the destruction of birds of prey seriously. What does it take? Probably some unfortunate child getting poisoned after picking up poisoned bait. Four months to mount a search – I despair!
As I live in Bedfordshire and have an interest in birds seen at Pegsdon, I thought I would raise what seems to be a strange coincidence that shoots in the area at Hexton can be found on the William Powell Sporting website here :- http://www.williampowellsporting.co.uk/case-hexton-shoot.html
If you then search further there seems to be a trail of raptor persecution happening at other sites also shown on their website such as Snilesworth and Glenogil for instance. I wonder what William Powell Sporting have to say about such things ? This seems a bit fishy – do you not think?
http://jmosborne.co.uk/jmosborne-people.html