Red kite poisoned by banned pesticides

The body of the red kite was found next to a cattle grid by a fieldworker monitoring raptors on Lofthouse Moor in Nidderdale.

The bird, which had been dead for several days when it was found in May, appeared to have been feeding on a baby rabbit, leading to suspicions it had been poisoned.

Natural England sent the body for a post-mortem examination but a cause of death could not be found. Later toxicology tests, however, showed it had been poisoned by a combination of banned pesticides.

It had also eaten rodents which had been poisoned using commonly available rat and mouse poison.

Pc Gareth Jones, a wildlife officer for North Yorkshire Police who is investigating the incident, said: “The use of rat and mouse poison is a common problem which puts the lives of red kites and other birds of prey in danger.

“It is the responsibility of anyone who puts down poison to control rats and mice, to collect the dead rodents and dispose of them properly.

“It is a great shame that another red kite has been killed.”

Last year, North Yorkshire was labelled a blackspot for bird of prey poisoning after figures showed it had more cases reported in 2010 than any other county. They included four red kites, three buzzards and a goshawk all found dead.

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Gareth Jones or Ripon Police. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or the RSPB’s confidential reporting line on 0845 4663636.