Category: 2026 persecution incidents

Shot Buzzard found nr Wigginton, York

Raptor rehabilitation expert Jean Thorpe posted on social media yesterday about an injured Buzzard that was found grounded near Wigginton, York.

The Buzzard was taken to Battle Flatts Veterinary Clinic where an x-ray revealed a shotgun pellet lodged in her leg and associated feather damage.

The Buzzard is currently undergoing rehabilitation with Jean.

The Buzzard was found on 26 January 2026. If you have any information about this, or any other raptor persecution incidents in North Yorkshire, please contact the police and the RSPB Investigations Team.

Update on the shot Peregrine in Strabane, Northern Ireland

Last weekend the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued an appeal for information following the discovery of an injured Peregrine that had been shot and was found in a garden on Station Road, Strabane, County Tyrone on the evening of Friday 9th January 2026 (see here).

The Peregrine’s broken leg has now been pinned by a vet and the bird is being cared for by Dooletter Wildlife Rescue, who have provided the following update on social media:

Peregrine found with gunshot injuries – police appeal for information

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an investigation and an appeal for information after a Peregrine was found with gunshot injuries in County Tyrone.

Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Pete Walkden

The Peregrine was found in a garden on Station Road, Strabane on the evening of Friday 9th January 2026. According to an article on the BBC News website, the PSNI said it was found with a leg injury and that ‘the injury was consistent with a bullet wound, which would require specialist treatment‘.

I doubt very much whether it’s a ‘bullet’ injury – it would have taken the bird’s whole leg off – much more likely to have been caused by a shotgun or an air rifle, or perhaps a catapult. Without seeing an x-ray it’s difficult to know.

According to my sources the Peregrine has a broken leg and is currently receiving expert care from an experienced wildlife rehabilitator.

18 January 2026: Update on the shot Peregrine in Strabane, Northern Ireland (here)