Following the recent confirmed shooting of at least two red kites (with a third one suspected) near Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park (see here), the North York Moors Park Authority has issued the following statement:
Following the most recent report from North Yorkshire Police regarding a Red Kite found with gunshot wounds, the North York Moors National Park is issuing the statement below.
Tom Hind, Chief Executive Officer of the North York Moors National Authority, said:
“We are appalled to hear of recent shootings of Red Kite in the North York Moors. Wildlife crime and raptor persecution are illegal, immoral and have no place in this National Park.
“Those behind these callous acts should recognise the disservice they have done to the entire North York Moors community. Ultimately those responsible may find they have shot not only a wonderful bird of prey, but also themselves in the foot.
“It is vital that anyone with information about these incidents, or any other wildlife crime in our region, call North Yorkshire Police on 101. We cannot let this crime go unpunished.”
ENDS
Raptor Persecution UK 
Yep, a complete mystery I’m sure, with so little precedent.
Well they are at least showing the right attitude but they really ought to have some idea why and who is behind all this raptor persecution and speak to them about it.No doubt they do not have the shooting rights but do they profit from them ?This is certainly NOT the work of tourists but it’s all too often that local police do become members of the shoots.
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I wonder who would be wandering around on private grouse moor with a loaded shotgun? Noted that the road to Westerdale from Ralph’s Cross still has notice saying it is closed due to winters conditions! In June! Could this be to deter the public from using it? Decrease in raptor numbers on the whole NYMoors. has been tangible in recent years. Bird scarers in Sleddale. Ancient trees felled there too. All for a Grouse Factory. For the privileged few.
Even though I am completely against driven Grouse shooting blood sports etc. Please note that this notice is an advisory for winter conditions only. There is complete and free access for the public at any time. As I have driven this road many times birding.
My partner and I drive that road once twice a week going to pub or visiting moor we are always on the lookout . At least North Yorkshire National authority are acknowledging it, I’ve wrote to everyone I can , league against cruel sports and told friends , emailed rural crime officer and it’s hard to tolerate. The police must know who is involved but as is suggested are they in the back pockets of grouse shoot managers etc.
could be narrowed down,shotgun license holders,most people don’t travel with shotguns,so local license holders,estates,just 1 or 2 people,but the problem is police resources, money,sad days.
The problem I believe is the lack of local eyes on the ground.
North Yorkshire Police are really nonexistent.
The North York Moors National Park are too cosy with the Major Land Owners.
There really is no one to see what happens unless by shear luck.
This is the situation in many shooting areas and often local folk say nothing as they fear reprisals.
I’ve thought of putting this on trip advisor come to North Yorks
Moors copious amounts of famous grouse !! Instead of flying kites we shoot them it’s great fun mixing with socialites and the rich and famous ! What do you think ?
This is a crime against the park as much as the birds, however while people are free to wander the land with guns it will continue to happen.
All because rich people like to kill birds.
It’s time the barbaric sport of killing birds stopped, there is no place in society for this pastime, with the knowledge, and understanding we have now regarding the damage humans are doing to the wildlife, and the planet.
The biggest issue is the people who shoot things are rich, and are able to buy their way out of trouble, and it also seems a lot of people who kill things for fun also have jobs or friends in high places, this inevitably makes them less likely to actually get to court, and if they are delivered to court, they only get a slap on the wrist at best.
Crimes against protected species should go to court without the usual cps intervention, any crime against abird of prey is illegal, there is absolutely no excuse, or reason for them to be killed, be that shot, poisoned, or caught in a snare, and should be processed as that crime.
If a bird Is illegally shot over park land, there is only going to be a small number of people authorised to carry guns on that land, if the individual person can not be identified, then charge all of the people who have authority to carry or use a gun on that land, I am sure the true criminal will be highlighted.
Then the other argument is that if those who have authority to carry guns on the land are not able to identify a red kite, should they have the authority in the first place?.
Perhaps national park land should be gun free, the track record of shooting grounds, and park management has not got a good record for helping protect birds of prey, and far too many birds are being killed, with no accountability from any of the bodies apparently in charge.
Until the shooting industry, and any other people responsible for the management of park land, and surrounding areas can get a grip on the illegal killing of birds of prey, the licence for use of guns on these lands should be removed.
As a minimum the land owners, or estate managers should be held accountable for the illegal killing of birds of prey, they should be charged the same as if they had pulled the trigger, stamped on the chick’s, or set the poison, this is currently the only thing that will make them take notice, and control the way the estate is being managed, it might even have the desired effect of helping to protect the birds from persecution, but I don’t have any faith in the estate owners, purely because it might effect their profits, especially if they loose the odd game bird to a bird of prey.
You do not have to be a rocket scientist to work out why birds of prey are still being murdered on or near shooting estates, the game industry makes the landowners a lot of money, as a business they are taking out any and every single threat to profit, even though it is illegal.
Stop game shooting permanently, and take away their gun licences, and perhaps set up camera traps randomly across the moors, with live feed, that way there will be video of those who break the law using guns .
The locals and farmers will fear persecution or may be impartial there are very few residents at Westerdale and a couple of farms. xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx. The person who shot them was aware where they were same as me and my partner they are easy targets!
I have spent lots of hours cycling walking driving around these moors it doesn’t happen in normal daytime hours it is early morning or late evening. I have a horse but never hunted but my horse would let me know when the hunt is about I knew from info they were cubbing which is illegal last August, had the heads up from someone I was crawling about hedge backs at 7 am in the morning videoing it for league against cruel sports . These people are clever you have to be one step ahead of them . My face was scratched to pieces but it was worth it !!!
The best way to get information is to befriend the right people one of my neighbours is a hunt follower I always ask to be informed when they are about so my horse doesn’t injure himself . I have shot clays so maybe that’s the answer go under cover! I have been slightly persecuted in the past by a land owner but didn’t deter me . Just makes me more determined.
Well done Karen, I’m proud of you. I lost my house many years ago for being active in the crimes against birds of prey. It was a stitch up by all involved. I have kept all the relevant paperwork to use when the time is right.
That’s proof of how awful these people are George they are low life with money, bullies , above the law by wealth and contacts I’m lucky I own my own home and as this site shows there a more good passionate people hopefully Karma is the bitch that bites you on the arse when you least suspect it .
Them in the arse
Do these ‘ignoramuses’ not realise, red kites are called birds of prey, they are in fact eaters if carrion. They do not hunt pheasants, grouse and the like