Concern after rare bird of prey found shot near Barton

The illegal shooting of a rare marsh harrier which was discovered on the Humber Bank in North Linconshire has been investigated by Humberside Police and officers at the force and the RSPB are now appealing for further information

Abby Ruston

12:20, 9 JAN 2019

Conservationists have raised the alarm after a rare, protected bird was found shot.

The marsh harrier was discovered by a woman who was walking her dog along the bank of the River Humber near Barton-Upon-Humber.

After reporting it to the RSPCA, an x-ray revealed the bird had been shot and it later died of its injuries.

The incident, which happened in September, has been investigated by Humberside Police but the culprit has not been identified and RSBP officials are now appealing for help from the public.

Marsh harriers are among the rarest breeding birds in the UK, with just 400 pairs across the country.

And the shooting of the bird follows the poisoning of a marsh harrier near the Humber in 2012, which raised concerns that birds of prey are being deliberately targeted in this area.

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