DATA has revealed how local birds of prey such as Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and Hen Harriers have been poisoned, shot at and had their nests destroyed.

According to a recent report by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), a total of 89 birds of prey have been illegally killed in Northern Ireland since 2009.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,344 birds of prey were killed in the UK during the same period. 

Data provided by the charity shows a total of seven instances of 'raptor persecution' within the Fermanagh and Omagh district, including areas such as  Fivemiletown, Clabby, Pettigo and Scraghey.  

The most recent report, lodged in May 2020, showed how birds of prey were targeted in the Omagh area by "poison bait" which tested positive for the chemical Nitroxynil. 

Meanwhile, another incident in November 2019, which happened in the same general area, involved a buzzard being shot at three times. Miraculously, it survived. 

On July 10, 2018, an incident in the Scraghey area near the Fermanagh Border saw the poisoning of a Peregrine Falcon, with tests positive for Carbofuran. During this incident, a pigeon laced with poison was tethered to a rock to trap the falcon. 

In May 2017, a report was lodged following the destruction of a hen harrier nest in the Fivemiletown area. 

And, two years earlier in April 2015, a buzzard was poisoned in the Clabby area with subsequent tests returning the chemical Carbofuran.

Other reports from the RSPB are of a greater vintage.

These included the targeting of Peregrine Falcons in Drumquin in April 2011, and the poisoning of a Golden Eagle in November 2010 near Pettigo. Tests again revealed Carbofuran. 

According to the RSPB, the majority of these incidents are associated with land managed for gamebird shooting where some individuals deliberately target birds of prey to try to maximise the number of gamebirds available to shoot for sport and profit.

However, these confirmed incidents are only those which have been detected, and as many of these crimes take place in remote and inaccessible areas, the charity believes that the actual figures are likely to be far higher.

The RSPB is now calling on Westminster and all devolved administrations to introduce the licensing of all forms of gamebird shooting across the UK.

The RSPB’s Chief Executive, Beccy Speight, said: "For decades, the RSPB has investigated hundreds of cases of illegal bird of prey persecution in the UK.

"A significant proportion of these incidents happen on or near land associated with gamebird shooting. Many of these crimes are happening in some of our most remote and inaccessible areas of the UK. 

"Because of this, we’re barely scraping the surface when it comes to the actual scale of this problem.

"Legislation has been failing these protected species for too long. At a time of nature crisis, we urgently need meaningful and effective legislative change.”