Police are appealing for information after the discovery of a shot peregrine on the outskirts of Cambridge.
The young bird was discovered injured on 18 September 2017 and was reported to the Raptor Foundation. A veterinary x-ray revealed a pellet from an air rifle lodged in its shoulder and a metal fragment also lodged in its wing, preventing the bird from flying. Vets believe the bird could have been shot up to 10-14 days earlier based on its low weight.
Information from the peregrine’s leg ring revealed this bird fledged from a nest on the outskirts of Cambridge earlier this year.
The peregrine is currently receiving expert care at the Raptor Foundation but it’s not yet known whether it will recover sufficiently to be released back to the wild.
PC Alun Bradshaw of Cambridgeshire Police is urging anyone with information to come forward. Tel 101 and use incident reference number CF0539270917.
Media coverage:
Cambridge Independent News here
BBC News here
RSPB Investigations blog here
ITV news here
Raptor Persecution UK 
That’s another thing that’s out of control – ownership, access & usage of air rifles.
It cannot be acceptable that these weapons are so widely & easily available.
The suffering & damage caused is not inconsiderable & they are also virtually silent in operation making them very useful to the wildlife criminals.
Keep up the pressure !