Following information reported to the police in April 2020, officers attended the location and discovered five dead buzzards. The buzzards were then x-rayed, with four found to contain pieces of shot. So far, eight individuals have been interviewed under caution in connection with the incident. Enquiries are ongoing and if you have any information which […]

In March 2020, a member of the public saw a buzzard fall out of a tree in Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale. It was taken straight to a local vet but sadly died soon after. The buzzard was sent to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS), administered by Natural England, for further analysis due to the circumstances […]

North Yorkshire Police is joining with other police forces across the country today (15 May) in a virtual ‘Operation Owl’ day of action to highlight bird of prey persecution as numbers of reported incidents show no signs of slowing down. Launched in February 2018, Operation Owl is a joint initiative by North Yorkshire Police, the […]

A member of the public was walking on a footpath near Belford Lane, Kirkby Malzeard, on 13 April 2020 when they found an injured buzzard. After seeking expert help, the bird was caught and taken to a local vet where x-rays showed the bird suffering a broken wing and also the profile of a shotgun […]

North Yorkshire Police and the RSPCA are appealing for information after a buzzard was found injured near Shipton Grange close to Shipton-by-Beningbrough, York on 29 March 2020. The buzzard, a male, was found by a local farmer who called the RSPCA and the charity’s Inspector Claire Mitchell collected the bird. Claire said: “The farmer didn’t know the bird had […]

The incident occurred on Threshfield Moor near Grassington at approximately 10.45am on Monday 27 January 2020 where two members of the public witnessed an incident in which they believe a male hen harrier was shot. North Yorkshire Police officers have been conducting enquiries and a man was arrested in connection with this incident, then later […]