The RSPB’s 2022 Birdcrime Report

The RSPB’s 2022 Birdcrime Report, which was published on 24 November 2023, provides a summary of the 61 confirmed incidents of raptor persecution in the UK in 2022 which resulted in the deaths of 51 birds of prey. The figure of 61 is 47 fewer than in 2021 when there were 108 incidents of illegal persecution, and considerably lower than the previous 12-year average of 104 confirmed incidents. 

Despite the enormous reduction in the number of incidents in 2022, the RSPB claims the relentless targeting of birds of prey is having a serious conservation impact on their survival. Of the 70 species of wild bird on the red list as being of the highest conservation concern, only three are birds of prey.  Regardless of this, the RSPB believes that ‘only through legislation and regulatory improvements including the licensing of grouse moors and vicarious liability can a positive long-term change happen’. They maintain their objection to the Trial Brood Management scheme for hen harriers, the success of which has been overwhelming, and are calling on governments across the UK to license the release of non-native gamebirds and mallards, underpinned by a statutory code of practice, with mandatory reporting of movements and releases. Along with the appropriate sentencing of those convicted of offences against birds of prey, there are likewise calls for improvements in the testing procedures associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, so that investigations also look for signs of wildlife crime. 

The shooting community remains committed to eradicating raptor persecution, with a zero tolerance towards all wildlife crime, including the illegal persecution of birds of prey. The considerable reduction in the number of incidents in 2022 is something to be welcomed, and it is therefore extremely disappointing that the RSPB cannot acknowledge this, instead attributing the lower numbers to Avian Influenza, which had a significant impact on wild birds including birds of prey, with many dead raptors not undergoing further analysis to identify their cause of death. It is their belief that this, along with the fewer birds of prey that were tested by the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme in 2022, could have resulted in a number of persecution incidents being unidentified or unreported, impacting on the overall persecution figures for 2022. However, this positioning by the RSPB should not come as a surprise, the significantly lower numbers not helping their lobbying of governments, policy-makers, and the public when driving forward their anti-shooting agenda.

Whilst one incident of raptor persecution is one too many, it is positive to see such a significant drop in the numbers last year, which aligns with the conservation success involving the majority of raptor species, most of which have populations at historic highs. Species like buzzard, red kite and hen harrier are now flourishing across the country in areas where they haven’t been seen for generations, and this is a great success story at a time when biodiversity more generally is declining. We should be celebrating the return of so many iconic species, and it is disappointing that the RSPB is unable to see that the way forward is to work together for all bird species, for the good of the countryside. 

Our summary and analysis of the RSPB’s 2022 Birdcrime Report can be read here.