Walkers urged to report cruelty to wild birds and animals after owl shot dead on moors

Tawny owl was blasted with shotgun and stuffed in a wall

Martin Shaw

09:55, 10 MAR 2019

Walkers and ramblers on moors above the Holme Valley are being encouraged to report suspected wildlife persecution.

A tawny owl was shot dead on Wessenden Head and Digley Moor at Holmfirth in September. The bird of prey was discovered with shotgun wounds inflicted at close range before it was stuffed into a wall.

Jaw-like traps had also been set to eradicate native stoats and weasels, with one containing the decomposing remains of a targeted wild animal, said conservation group Ban Bloodsports on Yorkshire’s Moors (BBYM).

The group wants action and spokesman Luke Steele said: “Walkers are in a unique position to help protect wildlife on Yorkshire Water’s moors where suspected persecution is encountered.

“This may include finding injured animals in traps or snares, birds of prey which have been shot or individuals simply acting suspiciously.

 “We urge those who visit Yorkshire Water’s moorland to familiarise themselves with the signs of wildlife persecution, then come forward with any suspected incidents.

“It’s a grim reality that wildlife is being wiped out by trap, snare and gun on some of the region’s most popular moorlands to boost red grouse numbers for shooting.”

An interactive map showing locations of traps and snares on the utility company’s moorland has been published by BBYM to warn visitors of their whereabouts.

The wildlife organisation has also released a practical guide detailing how to detect and report wildlife persecution. Any suspected wildlife persecution can be reported to Ban Bloodsports on Yorkshire’s Moors at www.stoptheshoot.com/contact-us/

Source

Owls gunned down in Peak District

13/12/2018

In two separate incidents in the Peak District, single Short-eared and Tawny Owls have died as a result of being shot.

The birds were discovered on 11 September and 1 October respectively, with both suffering injuries consistent with shooting. The RSPB has passed on the information to the police and subsequently an investigation has been launched.

On 11 September a member of the public witnessed a Short-eared Owl flying overhead, followed by gunshots, before finding the severely injured bird at the same spot the following morning. It was taken to a vet but the extent of its injuries – which included a shattered wing – meant the owl had to be put down. Then, on 1 October, the corpse of a Tawny Owl was found close to the site of the Short-eared Owl.

Post-mortem examinations showed that both birds suffered injuries consistent with shooting, thus making it highly likely that they were illegally killed. The member of the public who found the Short-eared Owl said: "I had just got back to my car when I suddenly saw a Short-eared Owl fly over my head – it's always fantastic to see one of these gorgeous birds. This, however, was followed by the sound of a gunshots, coming from the direction of a dark-coloured pick-up. I really hoped this wasn't aimed at the owl I'd just seen.

"The next morning I returned to the same spot and, there on the ground, was a Short-eared Owl, still alive but clearly wounded. I was so upset but also furious to think that someone had done this on purpose."

Jenny Shelton, RSPB Investigations Liaison Officer, added: "It's very disturbing that owls are being illegally shot in our oldest National Park. Short-eared Owls are beautiful birds and should be a celebrated, not persecuted. They are part of a healthy ecosystem and part of our national heritage. I would urge everyone who uses the countryside to be vigilant of bird of prey persecution, and to report anything suspicious to the police immediately."

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Tawny owl decline: Public urged to record 'twit-twoos'

28 September 2018

Bird lovers are being urged to give up 20 minutes every week to listen out for the "twit-twoo" call of the Tawny owl, amid concerns over its numbers.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is asking people to listen for the distinctive hoot from their garden, a local park or woodland, once every week for the next six months.

"You can even do it from the comfort of your bed," said BTO's Claire Boothby.

Light pollution and urbanisation are thought to be impacting populations.

The conservation status of the Tawny owl recently changed from green to amber, signalling a growing concern for the species.

'Anyone can take part'

Researchers hope the Tawny Owl Calling survey, which runs from 30 September to 31 March, will help them understand if, and where, the bird may be in decline.

They say it is not essential that members of the public listen every single week, insisting that all data will be useful - even in locations where an owl call cannot be heard as this indicates where the species is missing.

"Anyone can take part, and the more people that do, the better picture scientists at BTO will have of our Tawny owl," Ms Boothby said.

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GAMEKEEPER FINED AFTER OWL'S DEATH

By PRESS ASSOCIATION

PUBLISHED: 14:30, 31 July 2014 | UPDATED: 14:30, 31 July 2014

An experienced gamekeeper, who works on the estate of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, has been fined £700 for incorrectly setting a trap which killed a protected tawny owl.

Mark Stevens pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court to two charges of using spring traps without failing to prevent non-target species being caught.

As well as the fine, the 42-year-old, who is self employed, was ordered to pay £650 court costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

The traps had not been set on the Sydmonton Court Estate which is owned by Sir Andrew, Richard Atkins, Stevens' solicitor said after the case.

Mark Gammon, prosecuting, told the court that a member of the public, Ed McBride, was walking in the Ecchinswell area of Kingsclere, on August 19 last year when he found the tawny owl caught in the trap which had been set on a pole next to a pheasant pen.

Mr Gammon said: "As he walked along he heard a flapping sound and saw an owl caught in one of these traps, the owl was hanging upside down as the trap had been secured to the post by a line of blue washing line."

He added that the spring trap was an approved trap but had not been set properly with a cage to prevent unintended animals and birds from getting caught.

Read more: 

Train owl Lucky returns to wild after surviving 300-mile trip

A tawny owl named Lucky after clinging to the front of a train for more than 300 miles has been released back into the wild.

It is understood the bird climbed on to the Class 66 locomotive at Mossend, near Glasgow.

He was found beneath the driver's cabin when it reached Stobart's freight terminal in Crick, Northamptonshire.

Lucky, who has recovered from a sprained wing, has now been released in woodlands near Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

He has spent the past three weeks recovering at Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary.

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Owl survives 300-mile train trip from Glasgow to Crick

A tawny owl has been named Lucky after clinging to the front of a train for a journey of more than 300 miles.

The bird was found below the driver's cabin of the Class 66 locomotive as it pulled into Stobart's freight terminal in Crick, Northamptonshire.

It is thought he had been clinging on since the train set off from Mossend, near Glasgow.

Lucky is now recovering from a sprained wing at Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary.

"It's a miracle, really," said sanctuary owner Geoff Grewcock.

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Ipswich Christchurch Park owl's 'unique behaviour'

An owl that has become a tourist attraction in a town centre park is displaying "unique behaviour", experts say.

tawny owl (Wikipedia)

The tawny owl, named Mabel by staff at Christchurch Park in Ipswich, made her home on full view in a tree hollow.

She has proved popular with visitors to the park and appears comfortable near humans.

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary charity said it was rare for an owl to sit out in the open.

Andy Hulme, manager of the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Aspal, said: "The importance of Mabel is that she's unusually visible - owls usually hide among ivy in the winter rather than sit out in the open.

"Most tawnys are pretty elusive and we are only able to count adults based on hearing their calls rather than by seeing them.

"Mabel has shown unique behaviour in the way she has taken up residence in Christchurch Park."

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