Following the recent collapse of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Bird of Prey Partnership (due to its failure to tackle crimes against birds of prey), and the news that since 2015, 29 Hen Harriers have gone ‘missing’ in suspicious circumstances and almost 40 other raptors have been found poisoned, trapped or shot in the Yorkshire Dales National Park since 2015, including Peregrines, Hen Harriers, Red Kites and Buzzards, there’s some welcome news from a local community who has had enough and has decided to do something about it. Bravo!
Press release from Friends of the Dales:
SPEAKING OUT FOR BIRDS OF PREY
Friends of the Dales, the environmental campaigning charity, is launching a powerful new campaign − Eyes on the Skies − calling for an end to criminal killing of birds of prey in the Yorkshire Dales. The campaign kicks off with a high-profile live webinar on Tuesday 21 October at 5.30pm, featuring leading conservation expert Kate Jennings, UK Head of Site Conservation & Species Policy at the RSPB.
Kate will highlight the long history of bird crime in the Yorkshire Dales, drawing on evidence and case studies from the RSPB’s Investigations Team which works in support of the police and statutory agencies to bring criminals before the courts.
“We are delighted that Kate is joining us at the Eyes on the Skies launch event,” said Jonathan Riley, Chair of Trustees at Friends of the Dales. “She will shine a spotlight on Bird Crime in the Yorkshire Dales and the illegal and inhumane methods criminals use to trap, shoot and poison birds of prey − crimes that persist despite more than seventy years of legal protection.”
The Yorkshire Dales remains a blackspot for raptor persecution, with species such as hen harriers, short-eared owls, and red kites especially targeted. Just last week the RSPB issued a press release about the disappearance of Sita, a one-year-old female satellite-tagged Hen Harrier. The RSPB said that Sita is the 29th hen harrier “to suspiciously disappear in the national park since 2015” and that the bird “is likely to have been shot”.
“It is appalling that the hen harrier, one of the UK’s rarest birds, continues to be shot, trapped, and poisoned in our National Park, which should be a sanctuary for wildlife,” added Jonathan.
Public concern for these crimes is growing. In early 2024, more than 1,000 people responded to the first consultation on the new Management Plan for the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with ending the illegal persecution of birds of prey emerging as one of the top priorities.
David Butterworth, Chief Executive of the Authority also confirmed: “The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is unwavering in its commitment to raptor conservation. We will continue to collaborate with landowners, managers and organisations sharing our vision. We applaud those whose efforts have helped some species recover. But we must also confront the grim reality that criminal persecution still occurs.”
Friends of the Dales Eyes on the Skies campaign supports one of the core objectives of the new management plan for the Yorkshire Dales National Park, as well as the vital work of other organisations such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit, RSPB and Hen Harrier Action. The campaign will amplify messages around the scale and nature of these appalling crimes, educate people in how to spot and report any suspicious or illegal activity they might see and also inspire people to learn more about the birds themselves and why they are vital to a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem.
David Butterworth added: “The uplands of the Yorkshire Dales National Park should be a stronghold for a diverse range of raptor species. As apex predators, their presence signals a healthy environment. Their absence, conversely, is a warning.”
Summing up Jonathan Riley said: “Our Eyes on the Skies campaign will incorporate many more events including further webinars from insider experts, outdoor educational events and even some more creatively focussed activities. So, on behalf of the charity, I would encourage anyone who is interested in learning more to register for the free launch event on Tuesday 21 October at 5:30 pm, and sign up to our monthly email newsletter so they can be kept updated.”
Register for the Eyes on the Skies launch event and learn how to take action at: https://friendsofthedales.org.uk/events
ENDS
UPDATE 5 November 2025: Video of launch now available on Friends of the Dales YouTube channel – here.
Raptor Persecution UK 
Great to see it, but nothing except total banning of this outdated, unwanted and totally unneeded “sport” is ever going to protect and save these magnificent birds and the sooner the better.
Criminal is too light a word to use for someone who shoots traps poisoning and knowingly causes death and persecution to wildlife raptors I really can’t think why and what these people have in them. Certainly no heart or conscience I always wonder what path in life shapes them into the evil destructive ways they pursue. It’s obviously inherent and people brainwashed from early years to think this is ok to do. Even if u don’t like something just leave it be but the Yorkshire dales has always been at the forefront of unacceptable behaviour and until shooting and hunting is banished to the history books tags or no tags it’s not a deterrent I can’t get my head round any of it never have done. They are a different breed to us I keep bumping into the hunt cubbing ( hound exercise) it’s illegal and a joke no one polices it and this is how they get away with it all . Hope it works this Eyes in the sky but sceptical.
If you keep coming upon fox / cub hunting Karen, contact your local hunt saboteurs to let them know where they are. The hunt sabs always welcome info + will be on them. It’s obvious you have a great love for wildlife – lovely.
I hope Eyes in the Skies + it’s group can achieve some progress as a reward for their effort + have some success in what their willing to do.
Admirable that they’re taking a stand in the fight against.