Catch the criminals

Hen Harriers vanishing in suspicious circumstances. Eagles killed by poison. Buzzards trapped and beaten to death. It may be 2022, but these crimes are still happening right now in the UK. Thankfully there are hardworking teams and individuals out there who are doing everything they can to stop wildlife criminals in their tracks.

Of all our birds, it is the birds of prey that are worst hit by bird crime. Every year the RSPB Investigations Team produce the UK’s only report detailing all known offences against birds of prey. It makes for grim reading, with 2021’s report showing the second highest number of crimes against raptors in England on record. Birds such as buzzards, Red Kites, Hen Harriers and Golden Eagles are being shot, trapped, and poisoned, with 71% of confirmed incidents happening on or near land connected to gamebird shooting.

Egg theft was also once a threat to rare birds, but this has dwindled considerably in the last decade or so. In 2001, egg collecting became punishable by jail, which has acted as a successful deterrent. These days only one or two significant cases come to light every few years.

Catching those responsible requires teamwork, persistence and often some real guts. The Investigations Team works closely with police and other agencies and has forged strong partnerships to create a force to be reckoned with against raptor crime.

Investigations Officers work long hours, in all weathers, following up intelligence reports often from members of the public. Their work includes monitoring problem areas and gathering evidence to pass to the police. The team work then with the police and sometimes other partners, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit and Natural England to build a case against the alleged criminal(s).

Some birds are so vulnerable that they need a 24-hour protection team. From the moment Avocets returned to Minsmere in 1947, to when ospreys flew back into Scotland in 1954 to when European Bee-eaters nested in Norfolk in 2022, teams of volunteers worked night and day in all weathers to watch over their locations. Much of their work is to ensure the rare birds aren’t disturbed, and to give them the best chance of raising their young. This summer the bee-eater team was rewarded by the fledging of three chicks.

Many successful bird crime convictions are because of people like you.

Jenny Shelton, investigations liaison officer for the RSPB said: “We owe so much to the public – we are a small team so they’re our eyes and ears when out and about in the countryside. Most of the cases that reach court start with an observant person picking up the phone and making that first vital contribution.”

If you see something suspicious, reporting it straight away can make a huge difference. To find out more about what to report and how, visit our how to report crimes against wild birds page.