ANOTHER bird of prey has been found shot dead in North Yorkshire.

The female sparrowhawk was found north of the village of Nidd, between Knaresborough and Ripley, with a fresh injury, on Sunday.

An x-ray showed the bird had a smashed and broken wing and also revealed a piece of shot lodged in the bird’s body. A police investigation is now underway.

Sergeant Kevin Kelly said: “Our wonderful countryside is host to many specially-protected birds of prey.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that people think they can ignore the law and subject these birds to poisonings, shootings, nest destruction and the illegal use of spring traps without consequence."

RSPCA investigator Guy Shorrock added: “Two years ago a red kite was found shot in this same area, so there is clearly a problem here. We believe there will be someone out there who has information about what is going on in this area."

Call the raptor hotline on 0300 999 0101.