Raptor Persecution in the UK: What’s Happening on Grouse Moors?

By Shona Spray

On the 29th of January this year, Racster Dingwall, Head Gamekeeper on the Conistone and Grassington Estate in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill a Hen Harrier (8), one of the most critically endangered species of bird of prey in the UK (9). Despite decades of illegal persecution from gamekeepers and the shooting industry, this is the first successful Hen Harrier persecution case to ever occur in England (8).

Inspector Mark Earnshaw, of North Yorkshire Police, declared: "This outcome at court follows a thorough police investigation, and incontrovertible evidence. It should send a strong message to anyone else engaged in this criminality: they will be investigated, identified, and put before the courts to face the consequences of their actions." (8)

Birds of prey, or raptors, are viewed by many as some of Britain’s most iconic animals (3). Raptor populations have enriched local economies, with wildlife lovers travelling from far and wide to the British Isles to catch a glimpse of these majestic birds (3). However, raptors have not always been so beloved in the UK.

History of Raptor Persecution in the UK

Raptors have been hunted in Britain as early as the 15th century, with the ‘Vermin Law’ being put in place by King James II of England (and James VII of Scotland) to protect game birds from birds of prey (1,3). This practice was heavily encouraged, with bounties being offered to those willing to carry out the killings (1,2). Common breeding sites were frequently and habitually targeted during breeding seasons, disrupting birds' annual breeding patterns, leaving species populations unable to recover from the number of individuals killed each year (1). 

Over the centuries, the hunting of birds of prey and the destruction of nests had remained so consistent that some birds of prey were thought to be extinct by 1916, including the Eurasian Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus). Several other species, like the Red Kite (Milvus milvus), which were once commonplace across Britain, were eliminated from most of their known territories (1,3).

However, in 1954, the Protection of Birds Act was passed to put a stop to the persecution of wild birds (5). The law was updated and strengthened in 1981 by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which continues to be in effect today (9). Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take a wild raptor, or to damage their nests or eggs (9). Due to legislation now in place and huge conservation efforts, most species currently inhabiting the UK are successfully recovering (3,6). Historical and archaeological evidence led to the decisions to reintroduce species which were extirpated, such as Ospreys, Red Kites and White-Tailed Eagle, and are now viewed as major conservation successes (3).

Despite the surge in species protection and conservation measures over the last century, some still believe that birds of prey are nothing more than nuisances to be shot from the sky. The relatively recent growth of raptor populations, such as the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) or the Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), has led to the continuation of raptor killing (6). 

Environmental activist and conservationist, Dr Mark Avery, commented: “The potential Hen Harrier population of the UK is calculated, on the basis of available habitat, to be around 2,600 pairs but the actual population varies from year to year but is less than 1,000 pairs.” Dr Avery continues: “That difference is due to illegal persecution and the persecution happens on land managed for grouse shooting. This is wildlife crime at a landscape scale.”

Why are raptors disappearing on Grouse Moors?

The increase in demand for driven grouse shooting is consistently associated with diminishing raptor populations. While raptor territories and populations have grown significantly in the last few decades, population levels have noticeably decreased on and around grouse moors (1,8). Grouse moors are frequently linked to the disappearances of nesting pairs and satellite-tracked birds, often with the discovery of poisoned baits and traps in these areas (1,6).

Dr Ruth Tingay, former president of the International Raptor Research Foundation, believes that these illegal acts are primarily encouraged by those who profit from the killing of prey species, such as grouse, for entertainment.

"The vast majority of illegal raptor persecution is unequivocally linked to gamebird management," said Dr Tingay. "Gamebird shooting industry organisations will often cite a 'zero tolerance approach' to raptor persecution but they are often reluctant to go any further than this sound bite".

Charlie Moores, Projects and Content Manager at Protect the Wild, adds: "There are very strong laws protecting birds of prey across the entire UK. They have been in place for decades. The problem is why birds of prey are being illegally killed." Moores speculates: "It is because some shooting estates see birds of prey as a threat to 'their' birds, and therefore a threat to their profits".

The evidence that the gamekeepers managing these grouse moors are illegally killing birds of prey is strong, and the intensity of these killings has become so widespread that even populations past the scope of the moors are beginning to be affected (1,2).  

The gamekeepers of grouse moors have been known to use methods designed to avoid detection, such as poisoning, trapping and shooting to kill their targets (birds of prey) (1,6). The shooting of raptors is accomplished by tracking the birds to a frequently visited stop, often roosting sites, where the perpetrators lie in wait for the birds to arrive or leave (1). The disappearance of satellite-tracked birds of prey is more easily recorded and therefore less frequently shot to evade prosecution (1).

Poisoning and trapping require similar premeditated actions, by using poisoned baits or carcasses for the birds to find and ingest, or setting traps to get caught in (1,7). These practices are indiscriminate, as other wild animals, or even domestic pets, could ingest the poison or get caught in traps meant for birds of prey (1,7). Hundreds of contaminated baits have been found and reported on shooting estates in the last few decades, several with dead recorded birds nearby (1). It is likely that the number of uncovered baits and poisoned birds only represents a small fraction of the real number of raptors illegally killed every year (1).

Moores states: “Wildlife crimes are not prioritised by police forces and are not 'recordable' - which means most offences are not included in official national crime statistics, and are often logged only as 'miscellaneous' by police.” As a consequence: "Judges often hand out ridiculously lenient sentences for wildlife crimes due to a combination of low prioritisation within the justice system, lack of specific sentencing guidelines, and a perception that these crimes are "victimless" or less serious than other criminal activity".

Investigations into Wildlife Crime

Offences against non-human animals are regularly treated as low-level crimes, despite the larger impact these crimes can cause (2). Persecution of raptors causes undue distress and suffering to these sentient beings, as the perpetrators knowingly use methods that leave the animal wounded or in pain for prolonged periods of time (2). The persistence of the repeated killing of raptors can cause a rapid decline in the condition of the species and could even lead to the occurrence of inbreeding if this problem persists (2). Additionally, these crimes can even become detrimental to the health of other wildlife populations if the unmonitored poisoned baits enter the food chain (2,7). Yet those committing these acts, usually gamekeepers, are rarely caught or charged appropriately (2).

Dr Avery explains that: “The problem is the number of convictions, not the penalties”. He continues: “If there was even one conviction each year, and publicity for the owners of the grouse moors on which these crimes happen, that would go a long way to bring an end to the 'sport'”.

 To prosecute gamekeepers and the landowners facilitating these crimes, irrefutable evidence is required by the courts to identify and convict the culprit with an appropriate sentence. This is very difficult to come by.

Dr Tingay explains: "Much of it happens on large, remote estates where there are few, if any, witnesses. To reach the criminal burden of proof, it is necessary for prosecutors to identify the individual who committed the crime - that is very difficult to do on large estates with multiple gamekeepers who routinely give 'no comment' police interviews."

Dr Tingay continues: "The police can demonstrate that a crime has occurred on the estate, but if they can't identify the specific individual responsible, it isn't possible to prosecute".

Non-profit organisations such as Protect the Wild, RSPB and RSPCA have played essential roles in the investigation and prosecution of wildlife offenders (2). These organisations work to collect and provide evidence which can be used to prosecute the perpetrators (2).

If you suspect a crime, Dr Tingay states: "My best advice is to report to the police as soon as possible and ask for a crime reference number. I'd also recommend reporting the incident to the RSPB's Investigations Team, who can follow up the investigation with the police".

Please assist us in the fight to stop raptor persecution by educating others and reporting any sightings, to help prosecution cases against those killing these beautiful animals.

Moore concludes: “We need wildlife crime to be made 'recordable', for more resources to be put into enforcement, a database set up which will help authorities share information more easily, and for Judges to stop handing out lenient sentences for wildlife crimes”.

For that reason, Verify Humanity is campaigning for an Animal Offenders Register (AOR). This would keep a record of those convicted, cautioned, reprimanded or warned for wildlife, or any animal-related offences. Furthermore, when linked to a Standard DBS check, the AOR would help prevent those convicted of wildlife offences from regaining access to activities involving animals. Details of which can be found on our website (10).

If you want to collaborate with us for an Animal Offenders Register, please contact us at info@verifyhumanity.org.

Sources

[1] Newton, I. (2021). Killing of raptors on grouse moors: evidence and effects. Ibis, 1-19. Article Link Copyright Link

[2] Thomason, E., Wallen, K., & Katzner, T. (2023). Social and biological perspectives to investigate and address illegal shooting of raptors. Global Ecology and Conservation. Article Link Copyright Link

[3] Waterman, J., Black, S., Sykes, N., Kitchener, A. C., Mills, W. F., & Fellowes, M. D. (2025). The return of raptors to Scotland’s skies: Investigating the diets of reintroduced red kites and white-tailed eagles using stable isotopes. Plos one. Article Link Copyright Link

[4] Goodall, O. (2026). What is to be done about wildlife crime? A structural account of the incapacitation of capable guardianship. Criminology & Criminal Justice. Article Link Copyright Link

[5] Wild birds: protection and licences. Gov.uk. Available at: Article Link  Copyright Link

[6] Parrott, D. (2015). Impacts and management of common buzzards Buteo buteo at pheasant Phasianus colchicus release pens in the UK: a review. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 181-197. Article Link Copyright Link

[7] Mineau, P., Fletcher, M. R., Glaser, L. C., Thomas, N. J., Brassard, C., Wilson, L. K., . . . and Porter, S. L. (2024). Poisoning of raptors with organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides with emphasis on Canada, US and UK. Journal of Raptor Research, 1-37. Article Link Copyright Link

[8] Man sentenced for bird of prey persecution offences on Grassington Moor Article Link

[9] Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Gov.uk. Link License Link