Disappearance of birds of prey

A hard-hitting report into the disappearance of birds of prey in some areas of the Peak
District was published on March 6th, 2006.

The RSPB’s Peak Malpractice report highlights the alarming facts behind the fortunes of
birds such as goshawks, hen harriers and peregrines in the Dark Peak.

Launching the report, Dr Mark Avery, RSPB director of conservation, said: “The
continued decline in populations of some of this area’s most magnificent birds of prey
and evidence of illegal persecution, has led the RSPB to call for urgent action. We want
to see rigorous enforcement of the law and for loopholes that allow illegal activity to be
plugged.

“The northern moorland area of the Peak District National Park is known as the Dark Peak – sadly for birds of prey, it’s very dark indeed.

“We fear for the future of protected wildlife in the Dark Peak. In few places have
conditions for these birds deteriorated so much or so rapidly.

“The scale of decline is shocking and to bird of prey experts there is no natural
explanation.”

Volunteer fieldworkers have been closely monitoring the fortunes of birds in many of
their territories for several years and in many instances adults have been present at the
beginning of the breeding season – but then vanish mysteriously.

“We can only speculate as to what happens to these birds, but scientific evidence and
experience from investigations and convictions across the UK suggests that human
interference at the nest or the killing of one or both of the adults is a regular cause of
failure,” said Dr Avery.

“Local people and visitors to Derwentdale and the north-east moors of the Peak District are being denied the full, rich experience of the uplands – for some birds of prey and badgers, this really is a matter of life or death,” he added.

In the area highlighted in the report, detailed monitoring shows that:
• Goshawks have much lower nesting success than elsewhere in Britain and have
now been wiped out as a breeding species in the north-east moors of the Peak.
• Successful breeding by peregrines is now intermittent, with a history of repeated
nest failures and unexplained losses during the breeding season
• Ravens nest less successfully in Derwentdale than in other areas of Britain,
including the nearby White Peak
• An inexplicably large proportion of badger setts in woods adjacent to grouse
moors showed unexpectedly low levels of activity

Dr Avery went on: “This report does not lay blame at any particular door. But if this
part of the Dark Peak is a no-go zone for some of Britain’s most cherished wildlife, it
reinforces the urgent need for statutory agencies, voluntary groups and landowners to
protect wild birds and tackle any criminal activity against wildlife with renewed vigour and determination.”

Studies across the UK show many examples where birds of prey - particularly
peregrines, golden eagles and hen harriers - fare much worse when they nest on moors
managed for driven grouse-shooting.

Dr Tom Moat, Team Manager, English Nature Peak District and Derbyshire Team, said:
"The report by the RSPB on persecution of some species of wildlife in the Peak District
National Park is of great concern to us. The report suggests that the areas where
protected species have been affected coincide with driven grouse moors. These include some of the most important nature conservation sites in Europe.

“English Nature is working very closely with the Moorland Association, which
represents grouse moor managers. Both organisations have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding where we robustly condemn bird of prey disturbance and persecution
and are committed to trying to ensure it does not occur.

“This is coupled with a commitment by both organisations to build on the many positive things that grouse moor managers do and can do, alongside a driven shoot, to sustain and enhance the nature conservation interest of these very important sites."


Copies of Peak Malpractice can be downloaded from the RSPB website on rspb.org.uk/peakmalpractice