A REWARD is being offered for information after a peregrine falcon was found shot at a North-East nature reserve.

The male bird was so badly injured it had to be put down.

It was found alive at Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, a nature reserve managed by Durham Bird Club, on June 4.

The bird was taken to a vet for examination, and an x-ray revealed it had been shot.

Its injuries were so severe it had to be put down.

Police said it is not known whether or not it is part of a breeding pair in the area.

Durham Police and the RSPB are now appealing for information about the bird's shooting, and the RSPB is offering a £1,000 reward to any person who can provide information that leads to a successful conviction.

RSPB investigations officer, Howard Jones said: “This is another confirmed incident of bird of prey persecution in the County Durham area.

"Raptor persecution involving the shooting, poisoning, illegal trapping and nest destruction of birds of prey is one of the government’s top national wildlife crime priorities and every incident likes this increases the public’s intolerance towards this sort of criminal behaviour.”

The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal, capable of speeds of up to 200mph when descending in flight.

As a wild bird it has been protected by law since 1954 and anyone found guilty of an offence faces up to a maximum of 6 months in prison and/or a £5,000 fine.

PC Ken Barclay, beat officer for Bishop Middleham, said: “I would strongly urge any member of the community who has any information as to the identity of the perpetrator of this cruel act to contact either the RSPB or Durham Police and ask to speak with PC2106 Barclay or alternatively to e-mail PC Barclay on kenneth.barclay@durham.pnn.police.uk.”

Last year, the RSPB said the North-East is one of the worst regions in the UK for persecution of birds of prey, and issued an appeal to tackle the soaring number of bird deaths.

In April 2013, a dead buzzard was found on farmland in Northumberland. Post mortem analysis revealed that the bird had been shot in its wing and it is thought to have starved to death as a result of its injury.

In September another shot buzzard was found in Northumberland and later died from lead poisoning.

In County Durham in December, a merlin was discovered caught in an illegal spring trap.