Further to last week’s news that Norfolk Police were appealing for information after a laser was shone directly into a peregrine’s nest box at Cromer disturbing the breeding female (here), the BBC News website is today reporting that a man has handed himself in.
Green laser being shone directly into Peregrine nest. Photo by Cromer Peregrine Project
According to the article, a man in his 40s from the Cromer area, who has not been identified by police, turned himself in at Cromer Police Station on Saturday. He apologised and said he’d made a genuine mistake.
A spokeswoman for Norfolk Police said the incident was dealt with by way of a community resolution and it was agreed the laser would be destroyed.
The man also agreed to make a donation to the Cromer Peregrine Project and would engage in a formal discussion with a police officer about the safe use of lasers.
Officers from Norfolk Police’s rural crime team are appealing for information after a laser was shone directly into a peregrine’s nest box disturbing the breeding female.
The incident was caught on cctv by the Cromer Peregrine Project although no date has been provided.
[Photos by Cromer Peregrine Project, via Norfolk Police]
Writing on X yesterday, Norfolk Police said this:
We are currently investigating a report of the @CromerPeregrine Peregrines having a laser shone straight into the box disturbing the female making her leave the nest for an extended period of time leaving the chick. This is a criminal offence to disturb any nesting bird.
We are appealing for any information in regards to this matter. These birds are on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Countryside Act and anyone found disturbing these birds could be subject to significant consequences. #CromerPeregrines#BirdsofPrey#OPRandall
If anyone has any information please contact Norfolk Constabulary on Tel 101.
UPDATE 4th June 2024: Man hands himself in over laser disturbance at Peregrine site in Norfolk (here)
Prominent gamebird breeder Christopher Hodgson, Director of Ashley Game Farm Ltd in Wembworthy, Chulmleigh, Devon appears to have pleaded guilty to multiple offences including the use of the banned pesticide Carbofuran.
Ashley Game Farm Ltd is an exceptionally large breeding facility that, according to its website, ‘specialises in supplying pheasants and partridges to shoots in the west country and all areas of the UK and Europe‘. It claims to have ‘a hatching capacityfor 410,000 eggs per week along with further investment in a second location atTarrington, Hereford‘ and ‘retains around 80,000 chicks at Ashley Game Farm every week‘.
A multi-agency raid was carried out at Ashley Game Farm in March 2021 (here) following the discovery of a poisoned buzzard and poisoned baits in 2020.
Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police, Natural England, National Wildlife Crime Unit and the RSPB recovered a number of substances during the raid that were then sent for expert analysis.
Multi-agency raid in 2021. Photo by RSPB Investigations
This led to charges being laid against Christopher Hodgson as well as Ashley Game Farm Ltd in relation to the alleged use of Carbofuran and the alleged possession, storage and use of various plant protection, veterinary medicine and rodenticide products without authorisation at the game farm (see here).
Despite being banned for use in the EU for over 20 years, Carbofuran remained the ‘gamekeepers poison of choice’ for the illegal killing of raptors in the UK for many years, although in the last few years it has been overtaken by Bendiocarb.
Hodgson was due to appear in court today but information provided by the North and East Devon Magistrates Court indicates he and Ashley Game Farm Ltd have already pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in July.
Here are the details of the offences provided by the court:
Ashely Game Farm:
On or before 26/03/2021 at Ashley Game Farm Limited, namely stored a plant protection product, namely Rivett MAPP 11300, without a valid authorisation or permission granted in accordance with Retained EU Regulation 1107/2009. Contrary to section 24 and 27 of the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012.
Between 01/10/2020 and 27/03/2021 at Ashley Game Farm Limited, used a plant protection product, namely Carbofuran, in contravention of Article 28 (1) of Retained EU Regs 1107/2009. Contrary to section 24 and 27 of the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012.
On or before 26/03/2021 at Ashley Game Farm Limited, used a Biocidal product, namely Lodi’s Sapphire Grain otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions of its authorisation under Article 22 (1) and the labelling and packaging requirements of Article 69. Contrary to section 24 and 27 of the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012.
On or before 26/03/2021 at Chulmleigh contravened a requirement imposed by a prohibition notice served under section 22 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in that used a Biocidal product, namely Mole Valley Farmers Difenacoum Cut Wheat Rat Bait without authorisation being in force allowing for its use. Contrary to sections 22 and 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
On or before 26/03/2021 at Chulmleigh in the county of Devon possessed an unauthorised veterinary medicinal product, namely possessed an unauthorised veterinary medical product, namely Dimetridazole (DMZ). Contrary to regulations 26(1), 43(r) and 44(1) of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.
Christopher Hodgson:
On or before 26/03/2021 being a Director of Ashley Game Farm Limited, a body corporate who had committed an offence, stored a plant protection product, namely Rivett MAPP 11300, without a valid authorisation or permission granted in accordance with Retained EU Regulation 1107/2009 and the offence was committed with the consent or connivance, or attributable to the neglect of Christopher Hodgson. Contrary to section 24 and 27 of the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012.
Between 01/10/2020 and 27/03/2021 being a Director of Ashley Game Farm Limited, a body corporate who had committed an offence, namely used a plant protection product, namely Carbofuran, in contravention of Article 28 (1) of Retained EU Regulation 1107/2009 and the offence was committed with the consent or connivance, or attributable to the neglect of Christopher Hodgson. Contrary to section 24 and 27 of the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012.
Ashley Game Farm Ltd displays the logo of the Game Farmers’ Association on its website:
The Game Farmers’ Association (strapline: ‘representing the UK’s game farmers & promoting high standards‘) is one of the eight organisations in the shooting industry’s umbrella partnership, ‘Aim to Sustain‘, a lobbying campaign group aimed at promoting ‘sustainable and responsible’ game shooting. Presumably Christopher Hodgson and Ashley Game Farm Ltd will be expelled as a result of this criminal conviction.
Hodgson will appear in court in Exeter on 18 July 2024 for sentencing.
Well done to Devon & Cornwall Police, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Natural England and the RSPB’s Investigations Team for excellent partnership-working.
UPDATE 20 July 2024: Poisoned buzzard leads to discovery of multiple pesticide offences – Ashley Game Farm & Director Christopher Hodgson fined £40,000+ (here)
Like most birds in the UK, tawny owls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or capture a bird and also to damage or destroy their nests.
Officers investigating the incident are appealing for information about sightings of anyone with a rifle in the Badsaddle Wood area.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.
Please quote incident number 24000191237 when getting in touch to ensure your information reaches the right person as quickly as possible.
SHOT PEREGRINE FOUND ON DOVE STONE NATURE RESERVE IN PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK
A shot Peregrine was found in early April on Dove Stone nature reserve, landowned by United Utilities and managed in partnership with the RSPB
Due to the severity of its injuries the Peregrine was euthanised
This is the latest incident in catalogue of raptor persecution incidents in the Peak District
The RSPB is appealing to the public for information relating to this incident
The RSPB has offered a £5,000 reward for information which leads to a successful conviction for this wildlife crime. This amount has been matched by the Peak District National Park Authority, taking the reward to £10,000.
The shot peregrine. Photo supplied by RSPB
On 4 April an adult female Peregrine was found on Dove Stone nature reserve north of Woodhead reservoir, near Crowden, in the Peak District National Park. The bird was taken to a local veterinary practice where they confirmed it had been shot and due to the extent of its injuries, it was euthanised. The incident was immediately reported to Derbyshire Police.
The grounded peregrine. Photo supplied by RSPB
X-rays showed shotgun pellets lodged in the elbow and shoulder of the bird’s left wing. An expert post-mortem also revealed a puncture wound in the bird’s chest caused by shotgun pellets and concluded that the bird was shot at or near the location it was found, as the injuries it sustained would have prevented it from flying.
X-ray showing shot gun pellets lodged in the peregrine’s body. Image supplied by RSPB
Although Peregrine populations are recovering in many lowland areas across the UK, breeding Peregrines are missing from some upland areas in England due to illegal persecution. The RSPB has recorded 182 confirmed incidents of Peregrine persecution across the UK from 2003 to 2022. Between 2018 and 2022 alone, 30 Peregrines were killed or injured in England, including 19 which were shot. Data shows that nationally a significant proportion of raptor persecution incidents are linked to land managed for gamebird shooting. In 2022 at least 64% of confirmed incidents of raptor persecution in the UK were associated with land managed for gamebird shooting.
Mark Thomas, RSPB Head of Investigations UK: “To think that this stunning bird was found shot at Dove Stone – a place which we help manage for the benefit and safety of species such as the Peregrine – is shocking.
“This is just the latest incident of raptor persecution in the Dark Peak, a notorious blackspot for birds of prey, where these species should naturally be thriving. If anyone has any information about this crime, please contact us or the police.”
Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, Phil Mulligan added: “It’s deeply concerning to see a species as iconic as the Peregrine shot within our National Park, and so much more distressing during the crucial breeding season for many of our birds of prey. This is therefore not just the loss of a single bird of prey, but impacting on a potential further generation when every one of these charismatic raptors counts.
“Our birds of prey of all shapes and sizes have a right to call the Peak District home without fear of falling victim to acts of wildlife crime. That’s why we have committed to supporting the reward for information in this case, and I would urge anyone to contact the police regarding this or other potential incidents that may be putting wildlife at risk.”
Chris Wilkinson, Derbyshire Police Rural Crime Team “It is a sad fact that bird of prey crime is still prevalent in Derbyshire and particularly concerning is that this incident appears to have occurred on an RSPB reserve. We are keen to speak with anyone who may have information about this crime”.
If you have any information, please call Derbyshire Police on 101 and quote crime reference number: 24000198336. Alternatively, you can call the RSPB anonymously on their dedicated Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.
Press release from North Yorkshire Police (23 April 2024):
SUSPECTED SHOOTING OF A BUZZARD ON NORTH YORK MOORS
Our Rural Task Force is appealing for information following the suspected shooting of a buzzard in the North York Moors National Park.
The Buzzard is thought to have been killed near to Laskill, Bilsdale, on Thursday 4 April, and we’re appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious people or vehicles in the area to please come forward.
Buzzards and all other birds of prey are legally protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To intentionally kill or injure one is a criminal offence which could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months in jail.
If you have any information that could help please email tom.gaunt@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Tom Gaunt.
If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org
Please quote NYP reference 12240059635 when passing on information.
ENDS
This is a bit of an odd press release. The appeal for information is in relation to a ‘suspected shooting’ so I guess we can assume an injured/dead buzzard wasn’t found otherwise it’d have been x-rayed which would have confirmed whether it’d been shot or not.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that another buzzard had been shot here though. This so-called National Park, where the landscape is dominated by driven grouse moors, is a well-known hot bed of raptor persecution where there are repeated crimes against birds of prey, mostly involving shooting or poisoning (e.g. here, here, here, here, here, here, here).
West Yorkshire Police are appealing for information after the discovery of a shot buzzard that was found dead in the East Morton area of Bradford, which is on the edge of Ilkley Moor.
On March 15th 2024 around 50 dead hares and a dead kestrel and barn owl were found dumped outside Broughton community shop in Hampshire, causing widespread revulsion and condemnation across the media (see here).
The kestrel and barn owl had been impaled on the shop door handles and blood & guts had been smeared over the windows. Photo: Broughton Community Shop
Two weeks later Hampshire Constabulary arrested a man on suspicion of a number of offences in relation to this incident (see here).
Yesterday, Hampshire Constabulary issued another press statement, as follows:
MAN INTERVIEWED UNDER CAUTION AS PART OF BROUGHTON WILDLIFE CRIME INVESTIGATION
Officers have questioned a second man in connection with an incident in which dead animals were left outside a shop in Broughton.
On the morning of Friday 15 March, police received reports that around 50 dead hares, a kestrel and a barn owl were found outside Broughton Community Shop in High Street.
Officers from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Country Watch Team have been following various lines of enquiry as part of the investigation.
As previously mentioned, officers arrested a 37-year-old man from Totton on Thursday 28 March on suspicion of a number of offences, including criminal damage, wildlife and firearms offences.
He was subsequently released on police bail with conditions until Friday 28 June, pending further enquiries.
Yesterday (Tuesday 9 April), a 27-year-old man from Hythe attended a police station on a voluntary basis and was interviewed under caution. He remains under investigation.
Officers continue to investigate the circumstances of this incident.
Anyone who has any further information that may help our enquiries is asked to contact us on 101, quoting the reference number 44240111410, or via our website.
ENDS
UPDATE 14 August 2024: Man charged in connection to dumped hares and raptors outside community shop in Hampshire (here)
UPDATE 21 April 2026: Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire (here)
Press release from Gloucestershire Constabulary (3 April 2024):
POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER A GOSHAWK WAS SHOT AND KILLED NEAR THE FOREST OF DEAN
Police are appealing for information after a protected bird of prey was shot and killed in the Forest of Dean last month.
Officers were called by a member of public who found the body of a Goshawk near Kempley on the morning of Tuesday 27 February.
An X-ray of the Goshawk, which had been ringed, showed an air rifle pellet had broken the bird’s hip leading to its death.
The Rural crime team said: “Goshawks are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird.
“This sort of offence is taken seriously and if anyone has any information we would be keen to hear from them.
“If you have any information please Contact Gloucestershire Police Rural Crime Team on 101.”
Enquiries are ongoing and investigating officers are asking anyone with information on the incident to please get in contact.
Alternatively, you can call 101 and quote the same incident number or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
UPDATE 4 March 2024 from Amanda Grey:
“I’m the person who found this bird. This info isn’t actually correct. The air rifle pellet is in the right wing, however, the left leg was also found to be dislocated/calcified and according to the vet, probably happened at the same time due to impact. The bird was severely underweight and most likely starved to death due to its injuries. We know from the ringing data that this was a two year old male bird. As someone involved in wildlife rescue, I arranged the x-ray and then reported it when we saw the results. I monitor goshawks locally for BTO ringers and I also run Forest of Dean Wildlife Transport Volunteers. The bird was left in my garden, presumably by someone who knows what I do but who didn’t want to get involved. I am as frustrated as everyone else at how long it has taken for this press release to go out“.
