As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Tuesday 3 January 2017

Buzzards found in Herefordshire with lead shot in their bodies

A WILDLIFE rescue worker has raised concerns about the number of birds of prey which have been shot with lead pellets.

Sasha Norris, of Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue, has seen three buzzards within the past four months which have had lead pellets in their bodies.

As it is against the law to shoot any bird of prey, Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue is now working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the police and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to investigate the illegal shooting of birds of prey in Herefordshire.

The three birds were all found in different parts of the county- Mordiford, Honeymoor Common, and near Leominster.

Dr Norris said: "My view is that those who feel birds of prey threaten their livelihood need to take a look at the figures.

"There are around 40,000 pairs of buzzard in the UK. There are 70million people.

"The truth is that people are winning the game of life and it's the intelligent and compassionate thing to do obey the law and take care of wild animals."

The last buzzard she collected was sat in a strange posture, so she asked for an x-ray to be carried out, which revealed the bird had been shot and had a broken back. Sadly the buzzard had to be euthanised.

Dr Norris said: "We have seen numerous suspect and some proven incidents with wild birds of prey which have been shot or possibly poisoned."

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