Category: Persecution Incidents in England

Young red kite poisoned in Cumbria

Cumbria Police are investigating the posioning of a red kite – the third kite to be killed in the region since a re-introduction project began last August.

The first dead kite from the project was shot dead in Dentdale in September 2010. The second dead kite had been killed by a shotgun wound in the Grizedale area, found under its roost tree on April 20 2011. The latest reported dead kite was discovered in January 2011 near Esthwaite Water, Hawkshead. Toxicology results have now confirmed this bird had been poisoned.

News story here

Reward offered for info on missing osprey

Members of the public have put up a £1,000 reward for information about a missing osprey, feared shot. The bird, known as Osprey 08, has been missing since 11 May 2011 in an area where two other ospreys have gone ‘missing’ since April 2010. Conservationists at the Rutland Water Osprey Project have been feeding fish to 08’s partner as she incubates eggs. She is reported to have now abandoned her nest, and the Project Team are hoping to save her eggs by moving them to another active nest.

If anyone has any information about the missing osprey, please call Leicester Police on: 0116 222 2222 or call the Osprey Project Team on: 01572 737378.

Osprey Project Team’s blog: http://www.ospreys.org.uk/category/osprey-team-blog/

BBC news story about the reward: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-13526489

Derbyshire gamekeeper trial: adjourned until June

The trial of gamekeeper Glenn Brown, accused of seven offences under the Wildlife & Countryside Act & the Animal Welfare Act, came to a temporary close on 13 May 2011. The charges relate to his alleged activities on Howden Moor in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire. The trial has now been adjourned until 13 June 2011, when a verdict is expected at Chesterfield Magistrate’s Court.

For background info see blog posts 11 April 2011, 27 April 2011, 28 April 2011 and 9 May 2011.

2nd Red kite shot in Cumbria

Another one of the red kites reintroduced to Cumbria last year has been found shot dead, according to the BBC. This is the second kite from this group to have been killed this way in an 8-month period. The bird was killed by a single shot-gun blast and police are now investigating.

Border Regional News video story: http://www.itv.com/border/red-kite-shot-dead37788/

BBC news story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-13429000

Derbyshire gamekeeper trial extended

The trial of Glenn Brown, the Derbyshire gamekeeper facing 7 charges under the Wildlife & Countryside Act and the Animal Welfare Act, will continue this week at Chesterfield Magistrates Court.

Amongst other things, Brown is accused of using a crow trap to illegally trap raptors on Howden Moor in the Derwent Valley. See blog posts 11 April 2011, 27 April 2011 and 28 April 2011 for background info to this case.

Two part-time gamekeepers convicted for trying to kill raptors

Two part-time gamekeepers in England have been convicted of trying to kill raptors with an illegal pole trap. Ivan Peter Crane, and his son, Ivan Mark Crane, were found guilty at Market Harborough Magistrates Court on 21 April 2011 following an investigation by Leceistershire Police, aided by the RSPB.

RSPB investigators discovered the pole trap in August 2010, set on a fencepost next to a pheasant-rearing pen. They undertook surveillance and filmed both men walking and driving past the trap. Lecistershire Police raided Astley Grange Farm, East Langton, Lecistershire, and seized the illegal trap. Both men initially denied any knowledge of the trap but later pleaded guilty in court.

Crane (senior) was fined £1,000 and Crane (junior) was fined £500. Both were ordered to pay £80 costs. Crane (senior) was further fined £2,000 in relation to the illegal and unsafe storage of pesticides on the farm.

Well done to Leceistershire Police and RSPB for securing a conviction.

Full story: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/investigations/archive/2011/05/04/caught-on-camera.aspx

Case against Holkham Estate head gamekeeper now sent for trial

Further to blog posts on 25th January 2011, 11th February 2011, 2nd March 2011, and 1st April 2011…

After three adjournments, the pre-trial hearing in the case against Holkham Estate head gamekeeper, Nicholas Parker, was finally heard yesterday at Norwich Magistrates Court. His case has now been sent for trial, due to begin on 15th July 2011. Parker denies the wildlife and firearms charges against him.

Updates on the Moy and Skibo cases will follow shortly…

Another update on trial of Derbyshire gamekeeper Glenn Brown

Following blog posts 11 & 27 April 2011…

The trial of Derbyshire gamekeeper Glenn Brown, accused of using a crow cage trap to capture birds of prey, has not finished today as expected. The trial will continue into next week…

Update on trial of Derbyshire gamekeeper Glenn Brown

Further to the blog post 11 April 2011….

A few of our readers have e-mailed to ask for an update on the trial of Derbyshire gamekeeper Glenn Brown. The trial started 11 April 2011 and was anticipated to last for 8 working days. We are reliably informed that the trial is now expected to conclude tomorrow (28 April 2011).

Further details to follow…

West Yorkshire police warn of suspected poisoning activities near peregrine site

A police special constable and wildlife officer in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, is putting Scottish police forces to shame. Special Constable Phil Sanderson, also a retired police officer, has appealed to the public for help in what he believes is a potential poisoning threat to peregrines in his area. Compare Phil’s actions below with those of Tayside Police last week after their raid on an [un-named] Perthshire sporting estate.

A chicken carcass, believed to have been tainted with poison, was discovered in the Ryburn Valley in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, close to a peregrine nesting site. The carcass has been sent to the lab for analysis. Even though West Yorks Police are waiting for confirmation of the poisoning, they were sufficiently concerned, both for the welfare of the peregrines and for humans and domestic pets in the area, to put out a public appeal for information. They released the name of the valley where the suspect bait had been found, and they advised the public on what sort of thing to be suspicious of and what to do about it if they do see something suspicious.

Special Constable Phil Sanderson could teach Tayside Police a thing or two. Well done mate.

News story here: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/find_the_poison_maniac_1_3279512