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Yorkshire Dales Launches Crackdown on Illegal Bird Killings
13 Oct
Summary
- Campaign aims to educate public on importance of birds of prey
- 67 confirmed/suspected raptor persecution incidents in Yorkshire Dales since 2015
- Authorities pledge to end illegal activity around birds and wildlife by 2028
As of October 13th, 2025, a campaign has been launched in the Yorkshire Dales to address the ongoing issue of illegal bird of prey killings. The "Eyes on the Skies" initiative, led by the Friends of the Dales, aims to educate the public on the importance of these raptors to the local ecosystem.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has pledged its full support for the campaign, vowing to work towards ending all illegal activity around birds of prey and other wildlife by the year 2028. According to the authority's chief executive, David Butterworth, the uplands of the Yorkshire Dales should be a stronghold for a diverse range of raptor species, as their presence is a sign of a healthy environment.
Sadly, the data tells a different story. Between 2015 and 2024, there were 67 confirmed or suspected raptor persecution incidents recorded in or near the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including 39 cases of birds of prey being poisoned, trapped, or shot. The RSPB has also reported that 29 tagged hen harriers, including a one-year-old female named Sita, have gone missing under suspicious circumstances during this period.
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The Eyes on the Skies campaign aims to address this grim reality and empower the public to be vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity. The initiative will be officially launched later this month, with a live webinar hosted by the RSPB's UK head of site conservation and species policy, Kate Jennings.
