HUGE numbers of birds of prey are being illegally killed in the region, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reveals today.

The charity says birds such as golden eagles, hen harriers, buzzards and peregrine falcons are at risk in the Yorkshire Dales and the North Y o r k Moors, as well as on country estates.

The charity is today launching a campaign to boost the number of birds in these areas.

Dr Mark Avery, the charity's conservation director, said: "It is outrageous that birds of prey are still being killed illegally and that these fantastic birds are destroyed before they can cast their shadows on some of our most beautiful wild places.

"The skies are owned by no one, but a callous few want to deprive the nation of some of our most charismatic wildlife."

The RSPB has not revealed the exact number of birds being killed, but its blames gamekeepers and people who shoot for sport for "systematically wiping out" the species.

It says the killing will stop golden eagles from recolonising in southern Scotland and northern England, and is putting the hen harrier at risk.

Only 14 pairs of hen harriers bred successfully in the UK last year, and the charity wants this to rise to at least 40 by 2010. It is estimated Britain has suitable habitat for more than 200 pairs.

Mr Avery said: "Visitors to the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors national parks would rightly expect to see a diversity of birds of prey, but our initial evidence shows these birds are being targeted before the birds can establish themselves.

"We are calling on shooting estates to allow birds of prey to nest successfully."

Those most at risk are eagles, peregrine falcons and hen harriers, which nest in upland areas that are prime sites for grouse shooting.

In February, two gamekeepers working on the Snilesworth Estate, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, were fined and a third given a conditional discharge after they admitted a range of charges relating to the use of traps to take birds of prey.

Earlier this month, a hotline was set up for people to report sightings in the region of hen harriers. Reports should include the date, location and, where possible, a six-figure grid reference.

Call 0845-460-0121 or email hen harriers@rspb.org.uk