THREE rare peregrine falcon chicks have been found shot dead in the Forest of Bowland.
Campaigners have hit out at the attacks on the birds of prey and said there have also been incidents of eggs being stolen and nests destroyed.
Currently the Forest of Bowland is home to around 25 pairs of peregrines, thanks to conservation and protection work led by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
PC Duncan Thomas, wildlife officer, said: “This is a shocking and disgraceful wildlife crime and the graphic images portray a very sad event.
“These birds have been targeted specifically and are suspected to have been shot.
“Although now a common species in Lancashire, the peregrine has fought back from near extinction due to pesticides.
"We recently had a number of chicks stolen from a site in Wheelton so these two events clearly show that these birds’ breeding attempts are still at risk.
“Police are aware and are investigating and anyone who may have any information regarding either incident should contact their local police.”
It is thought that the birds were killed late last week but the exact location, as with all breeding sites, is a secret.
The incident was reported to police on Friday.
A spokesman for campaign group Raptor Politics, which highlighted the shootings to police, said: “We were shocked and sickened to find the corpses of the three chicks on the nesting ledge after someone had blasted them to death with a rifle.
“Our preliminary examination of each corpse at the scene suggests each chick had been callously shot one after the other where they perched.
“Peregrines are strictly protected in the UK and their illegal destruction is a very serious matter.”Lancashire Telegraph:30-6-10
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