Poisoner is hunted after falcons found dead in nest

Jun 25 2009 by Sophie Doughty, The Journal

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has investigated similar attacks elsewhere in the country, where pigeon fanciers have persecuted peregrine falcons.

And after Natural England began investigating the Houghton deaths, somebody returned to the scene and cut the rings off the headless pigeon’s legs so that it could not be identified.

“Our initial enquiries suggest the birds have been poisoned deliberately and we are currently carrying out further enquiries to confirm which substances may have been used,” explained PC Pearson. “I appreciate pigeon racing is a good sport, and that pigeon fanciers put a lot of time and money into their sport. But some people can be a little intense about it and to go to the extreme of poisoning the birds and killing them and depriving everybody of their beauty is abhorrent.

“There is no evidence to suggest peregrines are responsible for killing any racing pigeons.”

Peregrine falcons are a rare species of bird-of-prey whose numbers dwindled over the years due to the devastating effects of pesticide poisoning. However, over the last two decades their population has showed signs of recovering. They have been nesting at Houghton Quarry for around 20 years.

However, PC Pearson fears this poisoning could mean the end of peregrine falcons in the region.

“There are only about half a dozen breeding sites such as this in the North East of England,” he said. “Countless generations of peregrines have made their homes at this site and because of this despicable crime they may never again be seen here.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 03456 043 043 extension 66705.