Despite 2013 being the 60th year of legal protection for wild birds, the latest RSPB's Birdcrime report released today, tells the continuing story of illegal persecution of the UK's birds of prey.

Despite 2013 being the 60th year of legal protection for wild birds, the latest RSPB’s Birdcrime report released today, tells the continuing story of illegal persecution of the UK’s birds of prey.

Birdcrime 2012 reveals 208 reports of the shooting and destruction of birds of prey including the confirmed shooting of 15 buzzards, five sparrowhawks and four peregrine falcons. The report also includes over 70 reports of poisoning incidents. Confirmed victims of poisoning include nine buzzards and seven red kites. The real numbers are almost certainly higher as many incidents are likely to go unnoticed and unrecorded.

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