Shot Buzzard found in Bransdale area of North York Moors National Park – Police appeal for information

Press statement from North Yorkshire Police (19 May 2026):

APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER SHOT BUZZARD FOUND IN NORTH YORK MOORS

We’re appealing for information after a buzzard was found with shotgun pellets in its wing.

The buzzard was located in the Bransdale area on 4 May 2026 with a broken leg, and taken to a vet. Sadly, it had to be euthanised due to its injuries.

The bird was x-rayed, and pellets from a shotgun were found in its wing. It is believed the broken leg occurred up to 48 hours before it was found, and may have been caused by a hard landing – so the buzzard could have been shot within that same 48-hour period.

Buzzards and other birds of prey are legally protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To intentionally kill or injure one is a criminal offence.

Anyone with any information about how the bird came to be injured is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12260080894.

ENDS

There have been a number of persecution incidents reported from this area in the past. In 2010 a shot Goshawk was found at Bransdale (see here) and a post mortem reportedly revealed it had also been poisoned (see here). In 2012 a walker crossing the moorland in Bransdale found a dead Sparrowhawk, also reported to have been shot (see here). In 2019 a Buzzard was reportedly found shot on Bransdale Moor (see here) and in 2020, five dead Buzzards were found concealed in a hole on a Bransdale grouse moor – four were confirmed to have been shot and the fifth was suspected to have been shot (see here).