A protected red kite has been discovered brutally killed at a Durham beauty spot.

It had been shot at some point in its life but the cause of death was discovered to be poisoning.

The magnificent bird of prey was found hanging in a tree by a member of the public near Stanhope Burn.

During a postmortem, it was discovered that two highly toxic pesticides, carbofuran and bendiocarb, had been ingested before death.

It has become the latest in a spate of raptor killings causing 'concern' about Weardale, in the North Pennines, becoming an illegal hunting ground.

The discovery prompted an investigation by Durham police and the RSPB.

The Northern Echo: The red kite after it had been brought down from the tree in Weardale

Mark Thomas, RSPB head of investigations, said: "We are concered about a spate of concenterated raptor crimes which is rendering the Weardale grouse moors a hotspot for the illegal killing of birds of prey.

"As such, we are concentrating our efforts of detection on this area, in the hope of catching anyone targeting protected birds such as Red Kites.

"Critically we need the public to be our eyes and ears and report potential crimes to ourselves and the police.

"The fact that bird of prey persecution continues against the public interest makes it clear that additional regulation for grouse moors is necessary."

Red kites were on the brink of extinction in Britain 40 years ago. 

Their population has been built back up from a small population in Wales by reintroduction programmes in the 1980s and 90s.

Read more

'We will rise again': Fundraising drive to rebuild arson-hit football club

Magician creates 'Bog on the Tyne' shrine to Newcastle in his toilet

Grandad smashes land speed record on 'nutty' motorbike he made in his shed

PC David Williamson, of Durham Police, said: "The illegal killing of birds of prey unfortunately is continuing in our rural areas.

"It is unacceptable that anyone should think they can ignore the law and kill these birds by poisoning, shooting, trapping or nest destruction and disturbance.

"I am sure that people in our community will know who is committing these offences and I would urge anyone with any information to report this."

If you notice a dead or injured bird of prey in suspicious circumstances, call the police on 101 and fill in the RSPB’s online reporting form: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wild-bird-crime-report-form/