Peregrine Falcon injured on RSPB land off Woodhead Pass

The bird of prey was found on Saturday 4 April and taken to a vet, where it was discovered to have a broken wing and pieces of pellet in it. Unfortunately, the bird could not be saved.

A full post-mortem examination has been completed which confirmed that one piece of shot broke the bird’s humerus and the other entered through its breast muscle and onwards.

With such injuries, the bird would have been rendered incapable of flight immediately and we believe the shooting would have taken place on the land where it was found. It is very concerning that this offence has occurred on land that forms part of RSPB Dovestone.

Sergeant Chris Wilkinson, of our Rural Crime Team, said: “It is a sad fact that bird of prey crime is still prevalent in Derbyshire and particularly concerning is that this incident appears to have occurred on an RSPB reserve.

“Raptor persecution is a serious crime against nature and a wildlife crime national priority, and we are keen to speak with anyone who may have information about this crime.”

If you can help, please contact us on the details below, with reference 24000198336:

• Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form
• Facebook – send us a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• X (Twitter) – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call us on 101 

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.