Poisoning suspected after birds of prey are found dead (From The Northern Echo)

The carcasses of the two buzzards were found at Semer Water

9:39am Tuesday 13th April 2010 in Animal Watch By Vicki Henderson, Darlington reporter

POLICE have launched an investigation after two rare birds of prey were found dead from suspected poisoning.

The carcasses of the two buzzards were found at Semer Water, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, with the bodies of two rabbits, which officers suspect were laced with poison, found nearby.

Both the bait and the buzzards are undergoing tests to establish if poison was used to kill the birds, a method that has been illegal for many years.

As part of the investigation, a search of land and a property on the Raydale Estate, in Wensleydale, was carried out by police, helped by officers from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the RSPB, The National Wildlife Crime Unit and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Police said no arrests were made after the search and that inquiries continue.

Wildlife crime officer PC Phil Hall said: “We take wildlife crime very seriously and we have increased the number of wildlife crime officers to show our commitment to this problem.

“Wildlife crime in rural areas has a direct effect on our communities and visitors, many who come to the Dales specifically to observe all types of wildlife.”

Police appealed for people to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious.

Investigations are also under way to determine why certain breeds of birds of prey are so rare in the national park when they should be thriving.

David Butterworth, the chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “There are a number of species of birds of prey that are far less common than we would expect or that appear to be absent altogether from some areas of the National Park, despite much of the habitat being eminently suitable.

“We will continue to work with other agencies to help reduce illegal activity to ensure that these magnificent species retain their rightful place in the uplands.”

No one from Raydale Estate was available for comment last night.