Pigeon fanciers under suspicion after peregrines attacks

Jul 2 2009 The Journal

THE deaths last week of a female peregrine and two chicks in the North East is the latest loss in a year which is set to be one of the worst on record for crimes against the birds.

The RSPB has been flooded with reports of birds being poisoned, shot and trapped and of their chicks being taken from the nest.

Reported incidents already number more than 50 for the year, with more waiting to be processed.

The peregrines found dead on their nest at Houghton Quarry near Sunderland were next to the body of a pigeon, which police suspect was poisoned bait. Samples have been sent for testing.

“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,” said a police spokesman.

Now the RSPB is urging the Government to add peregrines to its list of priority species for wildlife crime enforcement.

Incidents reported to the RSPB include three pigeons found tethered to the ground near a peregrine site in Cumbria.

It is suspected the birds had been laced with poison in an attempt to kill the peregrines.