Bird of prey shot near Plymouth

It has a broken wing and may not recover.

A member of the public found the bird with a broken wing in a field near Tamerton Foliot during the morning of Sunday 26th January.

An X-ray revealed the bird had been shot. Lead shot was embedded in its left wing and its ulna was fractured.

The bird is being cared for but it is not known if it will make a full recovery.

Shooting birds of prey is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act but they are subject to persecution, predominantly by those who regard them as a threat to their pigeons or game birds.

All birds of prey are protected by law, and anyone found to have killed one could face jail.

Investigating officer Sergeant Northmore, of the Crownhill Neighbourhood Team, said: “The sparrowhawk appears to be the victim of a cruel and illegal act and may not survive as a result. We are treating this unfortunate incident as a crime under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw or heard anything which could have been related to this incident, or has any information they think could be useful, to contact us.”

Jenny Shelton from the RSPB’s Investigations Unit said between 2007 and 2018 nearly 50 sparrowhawks were victims of illegal persecution, but because this figure represents the only ones they are aware of, the number could be far higher.

“Encountering a sparrowhawk bursting into your garden is an unforgettable experience,” she said. “One of our smallest birds of prey, these are powerful, agile hunters and it’s a rare treat to see them in action.

“That someone has raised a gun to this bird and shot it is appalling.

“Sparrowhawks have been heavily persecuted in the past and sadly, despite legal protection, continue to be illegally killed, with shooting the most common method.”

Anyone with any information about the above crime is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CR/012605/20.