2 July
2019
A rare
bird of prey thought to be part of a breeding pair on a nature reserve has been
found shot.
The male
marsh harrier was found injured by a dog walker at Sculthorpe Moor, near
Fakenham, Norfolk, according to the reserve owner the Hawk and Owl Trust.
The find
was reported to staff at the reserve, but when they got to the spot only a few
feathers were left.
Since the
shooting a male bird breeding on the reserve has not been seen.
The Trust
said this year's chicks were at risk because both parents were needed to supply
enough food for their offspring.
The Hawk
and Owl Trust said it had reported the find, on 21 June, to Norfolk Police as
the marsh harrier is a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981.
The Trust
said "the finder was unable to get to the bird to rescue, but did take a
photograph which records the kind of injury that shows the bird had been
shot".
Nigel
Middleton, Sculthorpe Moor reserve manager, said: "Illegal persecution is
such a problem and it's inexcusable. Having it happen on our doorstep has come
as a real shock.
"Marsh
harriers are the reason that Sculthorpe is a reserve. This is just horrifying.
"If
anyone knows anything please let the police know. Let's bring this criminal to
justice."
Marsh
harrier
lives in
marsh and reedbed
length =
52cm; wingspan = 122cm
breeds in
Europe, central Asia and north Africa
after
nearly disappearing as a breeding species in Britain, it has recovered to about
400 breeding pairs, but still has "endangered" status
eats
animals found/caught on the ground
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