Author: RaptorPersecutionUK

Wild Justice Forensics Fund supports 68 police investigations into suspected raptor persecution

Conservation campaign group Wild Justice has provided an update on how its Raptor Forensics Fund has helped UK police forces investigate suspected crimes against birds of prey.

The fund was established in 2020 to cover the costs of early-stage investigations where there is a suspicion of a crime but insufficient evidence to meet the criteria required to submit a carcass for tests in a Government-funded lab.

Police officers have immediate access to the fund to prevent any delay in progressing a case and typically it covers costs such as x-rays and post-mortems. If a crime is then confirmed, officers can apply for further funds to cover costs such as DNA work or other specialist work. If a case results in a conviction, an application is made to the court to recover the costs and these are returned to the forensic fund.

Photo by Ruth Tingay

The fund is administered by the PAW Forensic Working Group (a sub-group of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime) and is open to any regional or national statutory agency in the UK. For further details please visit the PAW Forensic Working Group website here.

Additional funding support has been provided by The Northern England Raptor Forum, Tayside & Fife Raptor Study Group, Devon Birds, Rare Bird Alert and a number of individuals who wish to remain anonymous.

Since being established in 2020, the fund has supported 68 police investigations and has been used to pay for 43 post mortems, 29 x-rays, one CT scan and two DNA profilings.

Some of those 68 investigations have now ended, either because, for example, there wasn’t any evidence of criminality, or there was some evidence but it was insufficient to meet the criminal threshold, or because no suspects were identified, or because the carcass tested positive for avian influenza which prevented any further analysis. Some investigations are on-going.

Eight investigations have so far resulted in prosecutions and subsequent convictions. Seven of the eight convictions involved gamekeepers on Pheasant shoots. You can read the details here.

87-year-old man pleads not guilty to 11 charges relating to alleged raptor persecution in Lincolnshire – case now goes to trial

Brian Chorlton, aged 87, of Morkery Lane, Castle Bytham appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court yesterday (8 May 2025) to answer 11 charges relating to the unapproved or unlawful storage of the chemical Aldicarb, possession of a poisoners kit, and possession and use of four pole traps.

These charges are a result of a police investigation in to reports that birds of prey were being poisoned in the Castle Bytham area.

Mr Chorlton pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges and this case will now proceed to trial, scheduled for October 2025.

NB: Comments are turned off as this case is live.

Photo by Ruth Tingay

UPDATE 26 September 2025: Trial of 87-year-old man accused of 11 offences relating to raptor persecution is put on hold as defence applies for Judicial Review of judge’s ruling (here)

UPDATE 23 April 2026: Update on prosecution of 87-year-old William Brian Chorlton, accused of 11 offences relating to alleged raptor persecution in Lincolnshire (here)

Peregrines lay second clutch of eggs at St Albans Cathedral as police continue investigation into destruction of first clutch

Following on from Monday’s news that Hertfordshire Police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit are continuing to investigate what looked to be the deliberate trampling of Peregrine eggs at St Albans Cathedral on 7th April 2025 (see here), the good news is that the Peregrines have re-laid and are now incubating their second clutch of eggs.

Screengrab from the livestream nest camera this morning showing the female Peregrine incubating three eggs

St Albans Cathedral published a statement earlier this week to say the peregrines had re-laid two eggs (egg 1 on 4th May, egg 2 on 7th May) and this morning there are now three eggs.

The statement also confirms that security has been reviewed and updated at the Cathedral with new protective measures in place to prevent a repeat of the incident on 7th April.

The livestream camera has also been reactivated.

The statement and the link to the nest camera can be found here.

“Why should wildlife lose to businesses underpinned by criminal activity?” – Mark Carwardine on driven grouse shooting, BBC Wildlife Magazine

Kudos to zoologist, author, photographer and broadcaster Mark Carwardine for having the courage to take on driven grouse shooting in his latest opinion piece for BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Too few of the ‘big names’ in wildlife/nature conservation are prepared to stand up and speak out on this issue (with a handful of exceptions).

Mark can be forgiven for repeating the myth that ‘the UK has 75% of the world’s heather moorland’ (for a forensic debunking, read this excellent blog by Professor Steve Carver) because it doesn’t detract from the rest of his clear-eyed view on why driven grouse shooting should be banned.

Police Air Support Unit joins in fight against illegal targeting of Peregrines in Northern Ireland

Press release from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), 2nd May 2025:

POLICE AIR SUPPORT UNIT JOINS IN FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL TARGETING OF PEREGRINE FALCONS

‘Operation Raptor – Peregrine Watch’, an initiative by Police Service of Northern Ireland along with our partners in the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Bird of Prey Sub Group, seeks to bring an end to the illegal persecution of birds of prey, will now have ‘eyes in the sky’ as the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Air Support Unit lends its expertise and cutting edge technology to the cause. 

A special licence granted by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), and specific permissions obtained with the assistance of the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG), has enabled police to deploy hi-tech drones to carry out checks of various sites around Northern Ireland where Peregrine Falcons are known to nest, breed and live. 

Peregrine falcons in Northern Ireland are a protected species under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (NI) Act 2011, which safeguards all birds of prey from persecution and disturbance. The penalties for crimes under the Order include, but are not limited to, a fine of up to £5,000 per offence and up to six months imprisonment.

The police drones will be used to view and assess falcon nesting and breeding areas that may otherwise be inaccessible and will allow the various agencies involved in PAW to keep a close check on nests, particularly in ‘at risk’ areas, in the hope of reducing instances of illegal poisoning, shooting, trapping and taking of peregrine falcons and their eggs.

Operation Raptor was promoted at the recent NI Raptor Study Group conference.
L-R: Dr Marc Ruddock (NI Raptor Study Group), Margaret Mee (White-tailed Eagle Project), Dr Ruth Tingay (Raptor Persecution UK), Chief Inspector Tim Flanigan (PSNI), Emma Meredith (PSNI Wildlife & Animal Welfare Officer)

Speaking about Op Raptor – Peregrine Watch, Police Service lead for Rural and Wildlife Crime Superintendent Johnston McDowell said:

“This initiative between the PAW Bird of Prey Sub Group and our Air Support Unit, working alongside local officers, is a direct result of birds being targeted with very serious and dangerous substances in a number of areas across Northern Ireland.

“Many of the poisons identified in previous cases are deadly not only to our precious wildlife but also to humans, and so the potential impact could go beyond the persecution and destruction of our beautiful native birds of prey.” 

The initiative also encourages people to report any suspicions around birds being targeted. Police work closely with our colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive who are responsible for Biocides, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who are responsible for Rodenticides, to identify poisons being used and take steps to identify and prosecute offenders.

Superintendent McDowell concluded: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to working with partner agencies to tackle wildlife crime through prevention and education, as well as enforcement, and will continue to work hard to combat wildlife crime.”

Wildlife crime can be reported to police via 101, or online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or confidentially through crimes stoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

ENDS

‘Investigation still ongoing’ into person seen trampling peregrine eggs at St Albans Cathedral

Almost a month ago (7 April 2025) a person was seen to be deliberately walking over three peregrine eggs in a nest tray on the roof of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire, crushing the eggs. The incident was caught on the Cathedral’s livestream nest camera and the following day Hertfordshire Police said a man was ‘helping with enquiries’ (see here).

In an article posted online last week (28 April) by the St Albans Times,

‘Herts police are working with partners at St Albans Cathedral and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to look into the incident, and officers from the Rural Operational Support Team spoke to a man to assist with their enquiries, but nobody has been charged at this time.

A spokesperson for Herts Constabulary would only confirm today that the investigation is still ongoing‘.

UPDATE 9th May 2025: Peregrines lay second clutch of eggs at St Albans Cathedral as police continue investigation into destruction of first clutch (here)

UPDATE 19 April 2026: No prosecution after man crushed Peregrine eggs at St Albans Cathedral (here).

News coverage about first court appearance of Yorkshire Dales gamekeeper Racster Dingwall in relation to alleged conspiracy to shoot a hen harrier

Two major news broadcasters covered the first court appearance of 34-year-old gamekeeper Racster Dingwall on Friday, who pleaded not guilty at Skipton Magistrates’ Court to two charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to shoot and kill a hen harrier on a grouse moor last October on the Conistone & Grassington Estate in the Yorkshire Dales National Park (see here).

Attending court was a team from Channel 4 News, who had first broadcast the RSPB’s covert footage and audio last autumn that is now at the centre of this case.

Channel 4 News filmed the accused as he left the court on Friday with his solicitor, Tim Ryan, and this was shown in a short segment on Channel 4 News at 7pm although the programme is no longer available.

Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall leaving court with his solicitor (Channel 4 News)

A journalist from the BBC also attended court and produced an article that was published on the BBC News website:

The BBC News article set out the two charges to which the defendant has pleaded not guilty: possessing a shotgun for the purpose of killing a Schedule 1 bird, and encouraging and assisting the killing of a Schedule 1 bird.

The article goes on to say: ‘The RSPB said the prosecution is the first involving any bird with Schedule 1 status in England‘.

I don’t think this statement is accurate and is perhaps a misunderstanding on the part of the journalist.

There have certainly been other prosecutions ‘involving a bird with Schedule 1 status in England’ (e.g. Goshawks, Peregrines, Red Kites) but as far as I’m aware these have all been related to offences under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. I think this latest case is the first relating to an alleged offence against a Schedule 1 bird under the Serious Crime Act where it concerns the alleged ‘encouragement or assistance’ of crime.

The case will continue with a pre-trial hearing on 9 September 2025.

NB: Comments are closed until criminal proceedings have concluded.

Police Scotland appeal for information after two Red Kites found poisoned in Castle Douglas

Press release from Police Scotland (2 May 2025)

APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER TWO BIRDS OF PREY POISONED IN CASTLE DOUGLAS, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Officers are appealing for information after two birds of prey were poisoned in Castle Douglas.

On Thursday, 10, April 2025, a member of the public found a dead red kite and wood pigeon on Castle Douglas Golf Course.

Following enquiries, it was established that the red kite had been poisoned, and the wood pigeon was used as poisoned bait.

On Tuesday, 15 April, a second dead red kite was found nearby. The two birds have ingested the same type of highly toxic poison, resulting in their death.

Red Kite photo by Pete Walkden

National Wildlife Crime Coordinator Detective Sergeant David Lynn said: “Red kites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal to kill this protected species.

“Poisoning a bird or animal is not only cruel and callous, but it can harm other wildlife as well as members of the public. The use of this poison in a public area is extremely dangerous and poses a significant risk to anyone who comes into contact with it.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are working with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances of this incident. We would urge the public not to handle any dead animals they may find in this area of Castle Douglas, and if there are suspicious circumstances, I would ask you to report this to police.

“I would appeal to anyone with any information about the poisoning of these birds to contact us.”

If you saw anything suspicious or have any information about poisoning in the area, please contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0785 of 10 April.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

ENDS

Two men charged in relation to illegal killing of Red Kites in Cairngorms National Park

Police Scotland has today issued a short statement as follows:

MEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF RED KITES IN ABERDEENSHIRE

Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with wildlife offences following enquiries into the death of red kites in the Strathdon area of Aberdeenshire in February, 2025.

The men, aged 39 and 42, will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

ENDS

You may remember that Police Scotland issued an appeal for information on 28 February 2025 (here) following the discovery of a dead Red Kite that was found shot near the Glenbuchat area of Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, a grouse moor-dominated area on the north-east side of the Cairngorms National Park that has long been recognised as a raptor persecution hotspot.

This is a map I published in 2020 following the discovery of a poisoned White-tailed eagle on an unnamed grouse moor in the area (here).

The black dots on the map represent raptor persecution incidents recorded between 2005-2020, based on data from the RSPB, the 2017 golden eagle satellite tag review, and other data in the public domain. The Strathdon area is circled. For more details about some of the previous incidents in the Strathdon area please see this earlier blog here.

It seems apparent that today’s statement from Police Scotland is in relation to their Feb 2025 appeal for information about the shot Red Kite, but note that today’s statement mentions ‘the death of Red Kites‘ (plural), not just one.

Definitely a case to watch closely.

NB: As charges have been laid proceedings are now considered to be live so comments have been turned off.

UPDATE 9 December 2025: Two Scottish gamekeepers on trial today in relation to alleged killing of Red Kites in Cairngorms National Park (here)

UPDATE 9 December 2025: Alleged killing of Red Kites in Cairngorms National Park – trial of two gamekeepers adjourned as Sheriff recuses himself due to RSPB membership (here)

UPDATE 27 April 2026: Four-day trial starts for two Scottish gamekeepers in relation to alleged killing of Red Kites in the Cairngorms National Park (here)

UPDATE 1 May 2026: Trial extended for two Scottish gamekeepers accused of offences relating to alleged shooting of Red Kites in Cairngorms National Park (here)

Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall pleads not guilty to two charges relating to alleged conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park

Further to this morning’s blog (here), gamekeeper Racster Dingwall, 34, appeared at Skipton Magistrates’ Court this afternoon where he pleaded not guilty to two charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on a grouse moor (Coniston & Grassington Estate) in the Yorkshire Dales National Park on 2nd October 2024.

This case relates to the covert footage filmed by the RSPB’s Investigations team last autumn and later shown on Channel 4 News (here).

Hen Harrier photo by Pete Walkden

As Dingwall has pleaded not guilty the case will now move towards a trial.

A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for 9th September 2025 at York Magistrates’ Court for legal discussion about the admissibility of the video and audio footage.

Keep an eye on Channel 4 News this evening…

NB: Comments are closed until criminal proceedings have concluded.

UPDATE 4 May 2025: News coverage about first court appearance of Yorkshire Dales gamekeeper Racster Dingwall in relation to alleged conspiracy to shoot a Hen Harrier (here)

UPDATE 9 September 2025: Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall back in court today for case relating to Hen Harrier shooting on a grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park (here)

UPDATE 9 September 2025: Judge rules RSPB covert video surveillance is admissible evidence in prosecution of gamekeeper Racster Dingwall (here)

UPDATE 25 September 2025: More detail on court ruling accepting admissibility of RSPB’s covert surveillance in prosecution of gamekeeper accused of conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier (here)