These bird of prey attacks are totally condemned by estate owners

IN The Yorkshire Post’s report “Lockdown ‘gives green light to kill off our birds of prey’” (May 15), the RSPB gives the impression that shooting estates are increasingly killing birds of prey.

Incidents cited by RSPB near Leeds and York clearly did not happen on grouse moors and reports we have from moor owners in the uplands have suggested that many birds of prey attempting to breed are, in fact, benefiting from the lockdown restrictions and the subsequent reduction in disturbance from members of the public.

Estates have reported peregrine, merlin and hen harriers nesting and living on those landscapes. The hen harrier pictured is one of many that have bred on grouse moors.

We condemn any illegal activity and countryside organisations have signed up to a cross-sector zero tolerance approach to wildlife crime.

Estates and gamekeepers 
have been the eyes and ears 
on the ground during 
lockdown, reporting suspicious activity.

They are also actively working with police authorities in Operation Owl – an initiative to raise awareness of raptor persecution, and other areas of rural crime.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson