A BUZZARD shot by an airgun is a reminder of the need to stop persecution of birds of prey in the South West, the RSPB said this week.

The buzzard was found in a weak and very thin condition by the roadside at Tedburn St Mary, near Exeter, recently. 

Staff at the RSPCA’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre found an air gun pellet lodged in its foot, which would have caused permanent disability, and the bird was put down.

The incident comes as the RSPB’s Birdcrime 2015 is published, which lists 196 reports of illegal persecution of birds of prey in the UK, including the confirmed shootings of 16 buzzards, 11 peregrines, three red kites, one red-footed falcon and one hen harrier.

Ten incidents of bird of prey persecution were reported from the South West, including the shooting of two peregrines, one in Devon, the other in Somerset.

The national and regional figures are thought to represent a fraction of the actual number of offences, with many incidents going unreported and undetected. 

Tony Whitehead, RSPB spokesman in the South West, said: “Although persecution of birds of prey is unusual in the South West it does happen, as this recent incident reminds us.

“Already this year we have had another buzzard shot and killed, at Chedzoy, in Somerset, and in the previous 12 months, since the figures in Birdcrime 2015 were compiled, there were several incidents, including an illegal pole trap being discovered in East Devon, a peregrine shot and wounded in South Devon, and another peregrine poisoned, also in South Devon," he said.

“These are magnificent creatures and conservation groups, the shooting community and the general public need to be vigilant in order to stop a small minority from continuing to commit these kinds of wildlife crimes.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman added: “It is very distressing to think people take pleasure in causing horrific injuries to defenceless animals.“We would remind people that all wild birds in England and Wales are protected and anyone shooting birds without a licence could face up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £5,000 if found guilty under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”

In all, there were 16 incidents of wild bird crime reported in the South West in 2015, one in Bristol, two in Cornwall, six in Devon, two in Dorset, two in Somerset (including one in the North Somerset Council area) and three in Wiltshire.

Three of those reports also involved poisoning. 

The RSPB believes tougher legislation and enforcement is needed if birds of prey are to thrive in their natural environment.