Police in Greater Manchester are appealing for information after a dead buzzard was found in a field in Bolton. X-rays revealed the bird had been shot in the head.
The bird was found by a dog walker on 25th June in a field close to Salford Road and St. Helens Road.
PC Randolph Lyle makes some frankly bizarre statements in the police appeal, e.g. “shooting and killing one [buzzard] can have a devastating impact on their habitat and biodiversity“. Eh? He also seems quite keen to put across an argument that this buzzard wasn’t killed by someone from the game-shooting industry…
Nevertheless, Greater Manchester Police should be credited for at least putting out a press statement, so well done to them for that.
Anyone with information can call GMP on 0161-856-5578 or can make an anonymous call to Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.
Greater Manchester Police press release here.
Raptor Persecution UK 
Hi – I like your blog – but to be fair, I think you might be being a bit hard on the PC.
Think he is stressing that [EVEN] killing [JUST] one is bad news (which is a fair point to make with an endangered species) – think he is also grappling with the idea that by taking out the top of the food chain, you can upset the balance in their habitat (presumably because the death of a top predator can lead to a rapid increase in the numbers of their usual prey, such as young rabbits or pheasant chicks, which can then go on to damage biodiversity by eating too much food, so leaving less for other animals in the area).
As for his care in not casting aspersions – that is perfectly understandable both in terms of trying to keep those shooters who do not approve of such actions on side (and so willing to help in enquiries) – and (probably more importantly) in terms of any possible prosecution (by taking the precaution of not prejudging the case while pre-empting concerned commentators – such as raptor fans, perhaps – from asking if there is any link, or suggesting there is with little or no proof).
I know he might not have expressed it perfectly but credit to him for trying (we need the likes of PC Lyle on the side of the angels and buzzards).
Cheers
@HuwSayer
Since when can buzzards be classed as endangered they are the most common bird of prey in the country!
Given the location and the fact there are no gamekeepers employed within at least a 15 and probably as much as a 30 mile radius I think his assumption that it isn’t one of that lot is accurate. Nationally the comment he made about the buzzards loss to the habitat and diversity is well off off the mark, but locally Buzzards are still very scarce sightings let alone breeding.
You have to be careful in underestimating dead raptors and jumping to conclusions….after all a dead eagle can still fly 30 miles.
there are a couple of well run part time shoots in the area of Bolton, Grouse shooting on Withnell moor and Smithells Moor if I‘m not mistaken, released Pheasant shooting in the Belmont area and also in the Anglezarke moor area. there has also been interference at a well known peregrine nest site in the Bolton area for the last two years running resulting in nest failure, not being argumentative Wes but there is the potential for there to be a small idiotic minority in this area just the same as there is anywhere else.
Buzzards will become less frequent in our skies because Natural England have given out licenses to destroy eggs and nests of Buzzards. Also, a gamekeeper in Cumbria was given a 70 day prison sentence (suspended) for clubbing Buzzards to death in a crow cage
Why is it that protected wildlife has to be described as “endangered”!!..birds such as buzzards dont have to be rare to be important..and they are now our most common bird of prey species.Factual inaccuracies like that dont help when we are arguing against the hoprrific killings of really endangered UK species such as golden eagle and especially, hen harrier…Having said that I would agree its not a good idea to criticise this policeman who is unlikely to be [and his press office wont be either] a competent naturalist – police dont have to be, thats why they need real wildlife experts to help them…of course, Ive no idea what his other “bizarre statements” were..