The Barton-Le-Clay Community Website

Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Police are appealing for information following the illegal poisoning of two red kites. In January one dead bird was found south of Hexton in Hertfordshire and in March a second poisoned bird was found at the Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve near Hitchin. It is suspected that both birds had fed on carrion illegally-laced with a highly toxic banned pesticide.

The police are working with the RSPB and Natural England to investigate these crimes and the RSPB is offering a reward of £1000 for information leading to a conviction.

Guy Shorrock, Investigations Officer with the RSPB added: “The reintroduction of red kites has been a fantastic success story and the expansion of the population into Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire has allowed more people to see these amazing birds. Unfortunately, every year we get tragic incidents like this. Illegally placing poison in the countryside puts wildlife, domestic animals and potentially members of the public at risk. We would urge anyone with information about this or other wildlife crime to contact the police”.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sergeant Jamie Bartlett on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name and you could be entitled to a cash reward.

Read about this in the paper a little while ago, why on earth would anyone want to kill these birds deliberately...... some people are just plain crazy