Illegal persecution of Britain’s raptors continues despite decades of protection

Britain’s most endangered raptors continue to be shot, trapped and poisoned in what the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) describes as a persistent and widespread unlawful operation. A scathing recent report, to be published on Wednesday, documents 921 confirmed attacks on safeguarded birds of prey between 2015 and 2024, with more than half taking place on or adjacent to land managed for game shooting. Species targeted comprise white-tailed eagles, red kites, peregrine falcons, hen harriers, goshawks and barn owls. The RSPB’s investigations unit, staffed by ex-police officers and ornithological specialists, has assisted in obtaining three convictions in this year alone, but the charity contends that prosecutions alone are insufficient to stem the killings.

A persistent challenge for Britain’s raptors

The extent of the problem becomes clear when reviewing the RSPB’s meticulous documentation methods. The charity only classifies cases as “confirmed” when backed by laboratory findings, eyewitness testimony or video footage, suggesting the true figure of prohibited killings is almost certainly far higher. Mark Thomas, head of the RSPB’s investigations unit, is blunt about the driving force behind the persecution: “It’s about money.” Birds of prey species are systematically targeted to keep them from taking pheasant chicks, partridges or grouse, making more gamebirds available for hunters to shoot. This profit motive sustains what amounts to an organised campaign against some of Britain’s most emblematic species.

The three convictions obtained this year illustrate the brutality of the attacks. Two cases involved birds being fatally beaten after entrapment—a buzzard and a goshawk—despite regulations requiring such traps to be checked regularly and non-target species set free safely. The most prominent case involved covert RSPB surveillance at a hen harrier roost in the Yorkshire Dales, where covert recording devices obtained evidence of a planned attempt to kill one of the UK’s most endangered birds of prey. Head gamekeeper Racster Dingwall was caught on film arriving with a shotgun and discussing the killing of safeguarded species, ultimately receiving a fine of £1,520.

• 921 confirmed bird of prey incidents logged from 2015 to 2024
• Over fifty percent occurred on shooting estates for game
• Three successful prosecutions obtained by RSPB investigators in 2024
• Evidence includes covert camera footage and secret audio recordings

The economics of persecution

The targeted killing of Britain’s raptors is fundamentally driven by economic pressures within the game shooting industry. Estates across England and Wales systematically eliminate birds of prey to maximise the number of pheasants, partridges and grouse accessible to wealthy clients to shoot. The RSPB’s investigations have shown that more than half of the 921 documented incidents between 2015 and 2024 occurred on or near estates used for game shooting, demonstrating a clear correlation between game shooting enterprises and raptor deaths. This is not incidental wildlife conflict but rather a calculated business strategy designed to safeguard financial returns.

The financial stakes are significant. Game shooting produces considerable income for rural estates, with hunters willing to pay considerable sums for the opportunity to shoot substantial quantities of gamebirds. Each bird of prey that remains alive constitutes a threat to earnings, establishing a strong financial incentive for their removal. Mark Thomas from the RSPB underscores this reality: the deaths are essentially “about money.” This financial motivation explains why killings continue in spite of years of legislative safeguards and multiple legal cases, as the economic motivation to remove rival birds of prey stays constant and substantial across the industry.

Protecting game birds no matter what

The methods used to kill raptors demonstrate the degree to which estates are willing to protect their financial gains. Poisoning, shooting and trapping are applied regularly against birds of prey, with perpetrators often displaying little concern for animal welfare or legal repercussions. The RSPB’s inquiries have documented cases where birds have been killed by beating after capture, demonstrating the violent nature of abuse. These are not isolated cases but evidence of a broader pattern of criminal activity intended to kill any predator that might reduce gamebird populations and therefore cut shooting revenue.

The targeting of threatened species such as hen harriers and white-tailed eagles—of which fewer than 150 pairs remain in the UK—illustrates that financial interests supersede conservation concerns completely. Even birds at risk of extinction are eliminated if they present a perceived threat to game bird populations. This prioritisation of financial benefits ahead of wildlife survival reflects a deep divide between the shooting industry and environmental goals, one that cannot be settled through self-regulation or voluntary industry standards alone.

Investigations and convictions

The RSPB’s enforcement division staffed by ex-police personnel and avian specialists, has stepped up operations to locate and prosecute those accountable for raptor killing. The charity’s thorough methodology to evidence gathering has delivered measurable success, with three guilty verdicts obtained in the current year alone. These court proceedings show that when enough evidence is compiled, the courts are prepared to hand down sentences on those found guilty of killing protected birds. The investigations unit makes use of advanced methods, comprising hidden-camera surveillance and covert monitoring of known persecution hotspots, to build watertight cases against offenders based at game shoots.

The role of evidence from forensic examination

The RSPB’s classification approach confirms that only cases underpinned by solid evidence are recorded as substantiated persecutions. Scientific examination, eyewitness evidence and recorded footage form the cornerstone of effective legal action. This stringent approach indicates the 921 confirmed attacks recorded between 2015 and 2024 account for only those incidents where evidence is incontrovertible, suggesting the actual extent of persecution could be far more extensive. The dependence on scientific evidence has been shown to be crucial in obtaining convictions, as it provides courts with factual evidence that cannot possibly be disputed or dismissed through alternative narratives.

The application of covert surveillance technology has demonstrated especially effective in gathering admissible evidence. Hidden cameras placed near raptor roosts and nesting sites have recorded incriminating footage of perpetrators actively harming protected species or outlining their intentions. Audio recordings of conversations between gamekeepers debating the destruction of protected birds provide damning evidence of intentional criminal intent. These technological approaches overcome the challenge of witnesses being unwilling to come forward in rural communities where shooting interests prevail, allowing investigators to construct prosecutions without relying on local cooperation or support.

Suggested approaches and industry resistance

The RSPB’s recommended framework centres on implementing a licensing system for gamebird shooting across England and Wales mirroring the framework established for grouse shooting in Scotland. Under this arrangement, shooting estates would stand to have their licences suspended or withdrawn at the civil threshold, a significantly lower bar than the criminal threshold demanded for criminal charges. This regulatory framework would permit authorities to take action against properties where protected species are shot, even when obtaining criminal convictions presents difficulties due to the rural character of countryside properties and the reluctance of witnesses to participate in tight-knit shooting circles.

The shooting industry has reacted strongly to these proposals, with organisations categorically refuting that persecution is widespread throughout the sector. Shooting representatives contend that illegal killings are carried out by a small minority of individuals who do not represent mainstream practice within the industry. They contend that the vast majority of estates function responsibly and oppose persecution completely. However, the RSPB’s record of 921 confirmed attacks, with more than half occurring on or near game-shooting land, suggests the problem extends beyond isolated incidents and points to systemic issues within certain quarters of the shooting community.

• Permit framework would allow suspension or withdrawal at civil burden of proof
• Shooting organisations assert persecution limited to small number of individuals
• RSPB contends criminal proceedings alone inadequate to tackle persistent problem

The way ahead

The data presented by the RSPB demonstrates that steady improvements have occurred in the past few years, with documented cases of raptor killing falling. However, the charity’s investigations unit continues to insist that legislative change is vital to break the cycle of unlawful persecution. The creation of a permit scheme would represent a fundamental shift in how gamebird shooting is controlled, putting onus on landowners and managers to demonstrate their dedication to safeguarding Britain’s most endangered raptors. This approach would align England and Wales with Scotland’s existing framework, creating a uniform approach across the United Kingdom and signalling that wildlife protection takes precedence over shooting for profit.

For conservation efforts to succeed, the shooting industry must acknowledge the extent of the issue and engage constructively with measures intended to eliminate persecution. The RSPB’s call for licensing is not intended as an attack on legitimate shooting practices, but rather a means of ensure that those who operate responsibly can be separated from those who do not. Without structural reform, the organisation argues, Britain’s most vulnerable raptors—including the white-tailed eagle, with fewer than 150 pairs remaining—will continue to be threatened by those prioritising short-term commercial gain over long-term ecological recovery and legal compliance.