Back in May there was a report (and several photographs) on social media of a dead red kite that had been found on 9th May 2018 by a member of the public, “10-12ft up in a bush” at Woodchurch, Kent.
We believe this was reported to Natural England who eventually arranged for the corpse to go for a post mortem.
A few days ago there was an update from the member of the public, again on social media, who said this:
“Re: red kite I discovered at Woodchurch in May and retrieved. The District Officer phoned today and confirmed the bird had been shot. So sad, they are holding on to the bird and investigating“.
We don’t have any further information.
Thanks to the blog reader who drew our attention to this case.
[Photo of the shot red kite by Ian Stewart]
Raptor Persecution UK 
To the member of the public who found the dead Red Kite in Woodchurch – a big thankyou for caring.
Thanks to the person who cared enough about this this take it to the authorities. Stupid people must be stopped.
Thanks indeed to Ian Stewart.
There must be an x ray or something to show that the bird had been shot , who is the district officer and why was only one person informed of the bird being shot
Once a rare bird in the county, I enjoyed the spectacular sight of 33 Red Kites drifting up Channel is a series of small groups near Dover this spring, saw one again last week at Oare (Faversham) and doubtless I’ll see more before the year is out. To find persecution of this sort in my home county is depressing but it won’t stop the species spread and eventual recolonisation.
Maybe the lead had passed completely through the bird and it needed a pme to determine that it had actually been shot
Since raptors are protected is there some way the issue of shotguns and shells could be restricted and monitored? If a crime has been committed surely the police could chase up the local shotgun owners. This may be naive but there must be some way to stop or restrict this indiscriminate slaughter.
There are about 1.5 million legally held shotguns in the UK (no idea how many illegal guns, but probably a lot).
The list of possible suspects cannot be confined to locals. People with guns/poison etc. could be brought in to “do a job”.
Also, birds get shot and continue to fly until they eventually cannot travel any further.
I can understand your sentiment and frustration. However, the real problem is generating the will among the law makers and enforcers to deal with the problem. Current efforts are lamentable. The crooks and the corrupt have the upper hand.
We are well failed by those we elect and those we don’t elect.
And we, the public, are supporting ownership as the costs of issuing/renewing a licence are way more than the cost to the applicant.
Another glimpse into the mindset of some ignorant people.
What possible harm could a red kite do to justify killing it.
A bird that scanvenges and kills very little….
Selfish common criminals that do not understand the countryside.