Reward for information after baited pole trap discovered on East Devon farmland

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

The RSPB and Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for witnesses after a trap designed to kill birds of prey was found on farmland, next to a pheasant release pen.



Police attended a location near Dunkeswell, in the Blackdown Hills, East Devon, following a tip off recently, where they discovered a live, baited pole trap.



Police officers photographed the trap, which was set and ready to use, but left it in situ. When police returned the next day the trap had been removed. Further visits accompanied by the RSPB’s investigations unit have yielded no more information.



Pole traps have been outlawed for more than 100 years and work by smashing the bird’s legs when it lands on the trigger plate.



Mark Thomas, a senior investigations officer at the RSPB, said: “There is a reason why these traps have been illegal for so long, they are barbaric and they are designed to kill protected birds of prey.”



Inspector Martin Taylor, wildlife crime co-ordinator for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Despite it being illegal for over a century, we are still getting reports of spring traps being placed on poles or perches set to kill birds of prey.



“We will prosecute anyone setting these indiscriminate and lethal traps.”



Birds of prey habitually use posts as lookouts when hunting and in this case the trap had been baited using meat to encourage a bird to land.



The trap’s presence was reported on August 11 and police first visited the following day. The RSPB is offering a reward of £1,000 for information that leads to a successful prosecution.



Anybody with information should contact Devon and Cornwall Police by phoning 101 or emailing 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime reference CR/56051/16.



Ends



For further information, images, or to arrange an interview, please contact:



Chris Baker, RSPB Communications Officer, 01392 453299 / 07701 050010





Chris Baker

Communications Officer

Tel: 01392 453299

Mobile: 07701 050010

South West Regional Office, 4th Floor (North Block), Broadwalk House, Southernhay West, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1TS

@RSPB@RSPB#RSPBLinkedInRSPB@rspb_love_nature

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Twitchers flock to Devon to spot rare bird

Hundreds of birdwatchers from all over the UK are flocking to a Devon beauty spot to try and catch a glimpse of a rare bird.

The least sandpiper is the world's smallest shorebird. Two of them have been spotted at Seaton Wetlands in East Devon since Wednesday. It is understood only 12 have ever been seen in the UK.

One of a number of bird watchers hoping to catch the rare sight at Seaton Marshes Credit: ITV News

Its proper name is calidris minutilla - some say it comes from the Ancient Greek - kalidris - which was used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds.

Minutilla comes from Mediaeval Latin and means for "very small".

Generally the name means 'tiny speckled water bird'

Watch the least sandpiper at Seaton Wetlands:

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East Devon District Council holds 'seagull summit'

A "seagull summit" has been held to help businesses and residents affected by the birds.

The gulls snatch food, nest on rooftops and are an "issue in pretty much every town", East Devon District Council (EDDC) has said.

Businesses and residents are being encouraged to put netting on their roofs and to discourage people from feeding the birds.

The RSPB said people had to "learn to live" with the gulls.

'Aggressive behaviour'

The council said the long hot summer has meant seagulls have been a "particular problem" across the whole district.

Councillor Tom Wright said: "During the summer we've had complaints about aggressive behaviour by seagulls.

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