Red Kite Persecution in Nidderdale

The spread of red kites into the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is being restricted by illegal persecution. That’s one of the conclusions of the AONB’s Birds of Prey in Nidderdale Evidence Report.

The Nidderdale AONB unreservedly condemns the illegal persecution of birds of prey. Wildlife crime features prominently in comments submitted to the AONB by residents and tourists (para 2.3 of the report). The Evidence Report is designed to provide a baseline for birds of prey, on which to base the AONB’s Management Plan.

Buzzards are present in the AONB as a non-breeding species, but they would be expected to breed given the available habitat. Persecution of red kites in the Washburn Valley and Upper Nidderdale appears to be preventing them from becoming established in the AONB. There were no successful hen harrier breeding attempts between 2005 and 2018 despite large areas of suitable habitat in Nidderdale.

Peregrine falcons regularly breed successfully at Coldstones Quarry, not managed for grouse; there has not been a successful peregrine nesting attempt on a grouse moor in the AONB since 1998. “There is no natural explanation for this difference.”

Birds of prey are targeted by:

• poisoning
• shooting
• illegal pole/spring traps
• destruction of nests

There are more confirmed incidents involving red kites than any other species.

These crimes take place in remote locations, and evidence is likely to be removed or hidden, so the probability of detection is low. This strongly suggests that the number of confirmed incidents is not a true reflection of the actual number of crimes committed (2.10).