Eagle owl decoy used to lure buzzards to their deaths on North Yorkshire grouse moor

In April 2020, during COVID-19 lockdown, RSPB Investigations Officers caught an individual on camera using a live eagle owl decoy to attract buzzards, two of which he shot and killed. It is illegal to use a live decoy, and illegal to kill a buzzard. North Yorkshire Police investigated, but unfortunately it was not possible to prove the identity of the individual.

[@TheHeathenSquirrel]

To N.Yorks Police - you know who owns the land, right? You know they paid this guy to do this, right? Ask them under caution to tell you who it was. Then prosecute the lot of them.

[@shaynebrewer6306]

They all went no comment mate,see how he treats the owl,nothing but scum,cowards

[@TheHeathenSquirrel]

@@Jessebella1 are you replying to me? No idea what you are trying to say. Cheers.

[@Jessebella1]

@@TheHeathenSquirrel Hello, yea I just meant in an ideal world what you said would be nice but sadly it does not work like that, You cant ask someone under caution to tell you anything, well you can but you are indeed just asking, in which a no can be the perfectly acceptable reply to that request. The person can just say nope and not say a thing. It would be nice but what you said just cannot and wouldn't work. I hope whoever it was that we saw doing this has now been caught, you are right in that the landowner is in on it but just thinking that, is not enough to tell them to do anything. Hope that is easier to understand, I think my previous response was a bit stupid.

[@TheHeathenSquirrel]

@@Jessebella1 no worries, I understand now and you are probably correct, but I think the prospect of prosecution for lying (if later proven) might persuade some people to come clean. That's why interview under caution exists.

[@carolinejanerobertson6689]

Absolutely- the only way is to hit those who manage the shoot and hard. Removal of licenses and long term properly supervised bans. You also need to get the public on your side- repeated investigations with no results where clearly crimes are being committed lead to lack of faith in the police and prosecution procedures.

[@t63700]

And no doubt the local police dealing with these horrific offences will be told by their superiors to drop the cases, instead of pursuing a conviction.

[@catkin3]

Probably best mates with the landowners

[@lancashire2003]

With all the money the RSPB have, would think they would invest in a decent camera. Or hire a pro. Having said that, owners of grouse moors are a pretty disgusting lot. Confiscate their land, and then ban shooting on all grouse moors.

[@nigelwiseman2262]

Then there would be no reason to preserve Grouse.

[@josephking1947]

How many keepers are there on this Moor? I bet a handful and how many with an Eagle Owl? Even less, if the landowner was held responsible you would soon find out who the keeper is,

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

Its about time this sort of thing was completely stamped out. There needs to be a change of law in this country with serious sentencing for these criminals. This guy needs naming and shaming and if its known that it has happened on a certain estate then the estate should be held reasonably for what happens on its grounds. No getting out of jail cards with we don't know who it was. If I tried to trespass with a gun in the middle of the day on their land they would run me off pretty quickly I bet. The owners need to be shunned by society to tell then that their behaviour is unacceptable.

[@catkin3]

Agreed!! Animal brutality particularly by gamekeepers to the little wildlife we have left is extremely shocking - landowners are equally to blame as they give the gamekerper his remit. Why do the Police not prosecute? Why are the fines and sentences so purile and ineffective. Are they all best mates with the landowners?

[@davecooper3238]

I live in the rural U.K. midlands & regularly see raptors. I have not camped in Wensleydale since before the pandemic. But one thing that was very noticeable was the lack of raptors.

[@aman2welly]

If you’re on observations you need to ensure you have an end strategy and actually catch the scumbag in the act. Otherwise what’s the point in watching them

[@carolinejanerobertson6689]

A dedicated police team needs to be involved, but that calls for more funding and training.

[@katedowns9695]

Bloody awful. Seeing those owls teathered n manhandled is very upsetting. These guys will know lack of evidence means they may b questioned but not jailed. Something more needs to happen to stop this.

[@judyparsons1333]

People have worked very hard in trying to bring the raptors back from the brink over in this country and scumbags are just killing these magnificent creatures so that the well off can shoot their grouse

[@philliphartley4939]

I live in Yorkshire and I love my county, however we have the worst illegal raptor killing numbers in the country, more should be done about this issue, you cannot tell me that the landowners do not know whats going on on their land, they must be the ones who are letting the gamekeepers carry out this atrocity. They are the ones who should be fined immediately without any investigation. Colsterdale area is the worst so many tagged birds go missing in that particular area over the years. SCUM!!!!!

[@carolinejanerobertson6689]

Why are we in the U.K. not able to manage and police properly and responsibly our national parks? Other countries commit seriously to this with enough trained staff on hand to monitor and supervise exactly what is going on out on the moors and remote areas. Folks have to obtain paid for permits to gain access. This would surely help to prevent this disgraceful situation as well as reducing litter .

[@saturn1returns]

It's a bloodbath there.

[@smiffy5467]

Use a drone and film the shooter, then prosecute them and the land owner heavily! What is it with people who want to shoot wildlife. Shoot clays or targets or one another if you must but leave the wildlife alone.

[@koolkutz7]

Terrible and shocking. They need locking up for these wicked and cruel crimes. I would suggest sending a drone over the area with a good camera on to get clear evidence but the suspect would probably just shoot that down too!

[@rayrichardson1082]

Absolutely disgraceful practice! The suggestion of using a drone sounds plausible even to spend time surveying known areas where these incidents usually take place. I sympathise with the RSPB volunteers who I’m sure are short on numbers but when they do collect enough evidence for the police to prosecute make sure these vile individuals are made an example of !! I’ll certainly be much more aware & observant when out in the countryside.

[@Mudplucker]

Absolutely disgraceful. WTF is wrong with these monsters. Keep up the good work RSPB 👍🏻

[@barbarale-tallec9427]

Absolutely shocking. This must be stopped, disgraceful. North Yorkshire- shame on you. 🤬. Can’t watch anymore, so angry.

[@Ajajambo]

It's disgusting really for the police to say oh we don't have enough evidence. It's one individual that should have been identified if the guys filming had the propre equipment. What pisses me off is that they went back and knew that there is some distance to film the guy. Get a bloody Sony or Nikon 40x zoom and you will be with meters to capture the face of the asshole

[@theotheseaeagle]

@@Ajajambo yea I personally think they should make it a legal necessity to have daily patrols on moors to monitor gamekeepers for any illegal activity. Kind of like fox hunt sabs/monitors

[@Nigel-nar53]

It's getting beyond a joke. The Game keepers seem to have immunity to the laws of the land.

[@ShenziBuni]

That’s horrible! More should be done to stop this

[@patrickleary2389]

1. Send a copy of the video (via certified mail) to the land owners or lessees of the property to document their official awareness of violations. 2. Use a long-range drone to approach and identify the vehicle and shooter (wait until under power before swooping in for close-up and avoid destruction of drone) 3. Share copy of that video with RSPB, media and property owners Share all developments and video with BTO and media

[@mattblack7646]

The land owners are part of the problem they know what's going on.

[@carolinejanerobertson6689]

Make it public to identify, name and shame all parties involved

[@dchubad]

disgusting, more needs to be done

[@begbie672]

A stranger with a firearm just appears on a grouse moor killing Raptors. It's the responsibility of the land owners who still participate in this Victorian ( so called sport) to uphold the law. A standard game license should be issued with clear instructions regarding birds of prey & the disqualification if broken. (NO LICENCE NO BUSINESS).

[@philpcavell8522]

I hope the shooter's die horribly like these poor birds

[@huntwatchuk6406]

So bloody infuriating, but well done for capturing and highlighting this.

[@Ajajambo]

Instead of filming yourself in HD I would suggest the RSPB to invest in a good zoom bridge camera 40x , it will not break the bank and you are guaranteed the capture the face on the perpetrators Hands down. Simple very simple

[@vernonalexis704]

Why not follow or report it

[@itwasntme7721]

I could not agree more with your comments . I applaud the tireless work the rspb do but, u might as well of captured an image of the individual, with oil paints while wearing a blind fold. If u want results you drastically need to upgrade you gear….

[@simonclarke7309]

Heat haze!!!

[@CeliaReeves]

Why after seeing the first shot buzzard did they not intervene. It could have saved the other 2 birds.

[@thetomcoe]

They were 5km away and that kind of land is generally pretty slow to move over. There are other instances where they call the police straight away (one in yorkshire is on youtube where a gamekeeper tries to run away and is promptly arrested - they were much closer here and the RSPB officers could actually give chase on foot)

[@dontalkt2meboutheros]

The guy has a gun. I wouldn't.

[@judyparsons1333]

​@@dontalkt2meboutheros I bloody well would these killers of raptors are scum

[@simmymunchkin]

Don't think I could have sat back and let that individual get away with these sickening crimes.I would love to spend just a couple of minutes with him!! But sadly I think you will find that most likely the police will know this game keeper and the landowners and the officers involved more than likely shoot grouse on that estate themselves and that is why nothing is done

[@andymagic2924]

Wouldn't surprise me, a guy I know got away with hare coursing for years because he was in a relationship with the wildlife officer for that area

[@catkin3]

@@andymagic2924 They are all mates - corrupt to the core - disgusting

[@adzdahlman9724]

Hello there peeps . Whilst I understand the priority/ need , for you , to stay hidden in order to catch these f*ckers on film ; the worst part of this presentation was seeing/hearing you guys discussing "oh no , he's going to shoot another one" !!? You already had him on as good'a film as you were going to get..... .. . - if you'd just made your presence aware , stood up , shouted , started running toward him ; stood up and let off 2 twelve bore rounds ; he'd have legged it - those buzzards would have lived to fight another day . Yeah , stake him out ; but , confront him . Let him know you are actively out there , in the middle of nowhere , specifically to catch him out . The realization he could potentially be being veiwed from miles away will cramp his style . Get into his head . Make him paranoid - he can't know you're not observing him . I feel it's more important to prevent his activities at that moment than hang back for a 'possible' / unlikely future conviction . Just a thought ~ I love what you're doing*

[@Buckbury]

All under the cloak of conservation these so called game keepers have no regard for wild life, I trust that the police now have him in their sights.

[@samharrison8723]

As a standing stone and stone circle hunter, I am often somewhat off the path while I find what I'm looking for. I have always wondered why the gamekeepers were always so aggressive when asking me what I'm doing.... now I'm thinking it's because they've got something to hide.

[@ianmorrison4661]

Or perhaps whilst trespassing you are disturbing red listed nesting birds.

[@samharrison8723]

@@ianmorrison4661 I've never had one of them say I'm trespassing, because I'm not. There's only one stone circle I can think of in my area that is on private land and I've not been there. There is a freedom to roam on the moors. Also, it's tough going... so obviously the paths are used to get as close as possible including sheep trails etc. I have usually assumed they think I'm maybe a poacher because I'm off the path. In one instance, I was redirected by the gamekeeper (once he'd calmed down) to the site I was looking for and had missed.

[@bigglesbiggles4999]

@@ianmorrison4661 laughing my socks off.....you think the keepers care about red listed birds when so many keepers are clearly exterminating raptors

[@ianmorrison4661]

No they aren’t, that is just the narrative packham et al push. The truth more red listed birds including raptor are reared on grouse moors than rspb land, look it up!

[@bigglesbiggles4999]

@@ianmorrison4661 Ian...you are a fool you follow the mantra of the shooting fraternity.....the science is that GROUSE moors that are intensively managed to produce grouse at a level far greater than would occur naturally are by and large bio diverse deserts...defacto!!!

[@williamsclive2900]

Makes me ill thinking about it.... so sad ... keep up your amazing work ... in my eyes your all legends.

[@FAHHTER]

there is hope as long as there are people like you, support from Croatia🤞👏👏👏

[@user-nu3um2yq2d]

It's the wealthy land owners & managers giving these orders . Why aren't they being held to account?? So much money in shoots! SICKENING. I worked in forestry on estates all over Cumbria & nothing happened without management concent.

[@davideats9255]

He can’t be too hard to find. He’s likely a taxidermist. One who also in some way has a relationship to the landlord. That would be a start.

[@peregrinepete]

David hardly think it is a taxidermist there is no doubt he will be a Gamekeeper this is what they do its there job. I have seen with my own eyes keepers using decoy Birds albeit dummy Peregrines dummy Harriers dummy buzzards sitting on a post moveable, and a crow on a wire which moves in the wind or just the weight so it moves continuously, With the keeper 20 /30 yards away hidden under a camo tarp or camo netting with a gun. Trust me they do it.

[@andymagic2924]

Nah it will be a gamekeeper, they kill the buzzards to protect the grouse, buzzards don't actually kill grouse but these idiots either don't know that or don't care

[@carolinejanerobertson6689]

He maybe is the landlord

[@andrewlisicki3011]

The RSPB is not being straight with us. Instead of sitting and watching the cruelty and killing, which appears to have taken place over some time, they should have confronted the individual with their RSPB credentials and asked what he was doing in possession of the eagle owl, why he was in possession of a gun, and by what permission he was on the estate. Also, the police should have been called to the scene. Thus any doubt as to the person's identity would have been dispelled, as would have been the purpose of his presence there. As for the photographic equipment the RSPB use, surely even they must know that the only thing it identifies is the horizon.

[@imaonarseal]

Got to agree. There's something deeply frustrating about this video. 'We witnessed the killing of two buzzards' but the case 'didn't meet the threshold'. Why could the perpetrator not be approached or intercepted and how is it the RSPB cannot afford a decent zoom? It's a bit ridiculous. And they want members of the public to help them, fine, but help yourselves first.

[@dave6148]

Big failure by the RSPB on this one

[@theotheseaeagle]

Yea but sometimes the police can be just as useless

[@wham1955]

Sickening....the police went us to do everything. Bring in the licensing

[@fatmanscoop8650]

During lockdown last year I drove from the Wirral to Leicester for a medical for work. In that trip I counted 18 dead buzzards on the side of the road. I e never before or since seen so many dead raptors on the side of roads that in the most part weren't being used. I'd happily donate money to the rspca but know they are in fact next to useless.

[@catkin3]

Agreed - they are futile!

[@gargoyle7863]

Why they kill the buzzards?

[@fatmanscoop8650]

@gargoyle7863 buzzards kill young pheasants before they can be shot.. game keepers kill alot of them

[@janetenby4051]

Disgusting.

[@johnwood2223]

I live in North Norfolk near Cromer. Whilst I was out on my morning run, I witnessed the shooting of a female Sparrow Hawk/ Buzzard with a small bore rifle and then saw the wounded hawk bundled into the cab of a Land Rover. I have reported this to the Police, and appalled that this behaviour still goes on in our rural communities.

[@rmyronovich4382]

Maybe the answer is to handle these people privately! The law does not really protect these beautiful birds. A fine of a few hundred pounds is nothing.

[@thewhitbyphotographer]

I hope that with the improvement of drone and photography technology, that it won't be long before you can gather the evidence you need to have these individuals brought before a court. However the problem doesn't stop there as you and I both know. The fines are so small and covered by Millionaire/billionaire landowners its really a waste of time to use the legal system. As mentioned the best way forward is licensing and mandatory loss of license for any estate where this type of behaviour exists. Also I question The National Parks. Is it not possible they can apply more pressure here. I was shocked up until recently to hear a vocal on tape in our Danby Moors Centre In North Yorkshire which spoke about the benefits of Grouse Shooting to our local communities. I found this quite shocking given the large number of raptor deaths across the national park. Thankfully they removed that vocal/video a few years ago. It is certainly my opinion that our National Parks would be significantly better places if all grouse shooting was stopped along with scent trail Fox Hunting, which as we all know is basically just Fox hunting as it always used to be. Get rid of the lot of them and allow the moors to prosper.

[@carolinejanerobertson6689]

Agree! Hit them where it hurts, huge fines as in over £500,000 and at least a 2 season ban

[@royalirishranger1931]

Awful just awful!

[@richhughes7450]

Better camera with a decent zoom would have been key here.

[@JulieC49]

So if "not enough evidence" is the result, this heinous crime will be allowed to continue!

[@summerwildlifex9024]

Poor Buzzard and Eagle owl

[@rogermellie8068]

Chief Constables usually move in the same circles as big land owners. Few bottles of scotch and some Cuban cigars, nothing to see here, move along.

[@steviebye1]

What is the point of reporting it to you inspector Hagen ,if you are not going to prosecute.

[@mickcuthbert8792]

Coppers couldn't be arsed with the paperwork then. Who's land is it and who is the gamekeeper, sorted.

[@chadvalley943]

Why ? Buzzards eat carrion worms or is that a myth . Do they take lambs when first born ?

[@troywales983]

the worst thing is ,you sit and watch it happen instead of going in and stopping it ,THAT IS HOW MUCH YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT THE BIRDS does it not ,?

[@deerohdeer8000]

Wrong I every way !!!! 🤬! Thanks for posting!! Humans sick !!

[@saturn1returns]

What a sad drip of a boy. His parents failed.

[@shakeybeatz]

Who owns this land?

[@stuartyaxley5308]

With all the resources the RSPB have why have they not invested in good quality kit that could identify the man at that distance it's not that expensive.

[@tytzup5397]

Report to the police he says. They dint even attend burglaries and assaults any more

[@kgdancey]

The very least the RSPB (and North Yorkshire Police) could do, now, is name the Estate. But they never do. Criminality has taken place, but the Estate's identity is always protected? Would the RSPB and the Police keep the identity of the Estate secret if they had witnessed a young girl being assaulted and abducted whilst not being able to identify the culprit? Why is the video of the incident obscured, yet stills taken from it show far better resolution? Why don't the RSPB use more powerful telephoto lenses? Why Are Eagle Owls not on the Schedule 4 list? According to law, Eagle Owls are listed on Annex A of the UK CITES Management Authority, so all legal owners of Eagle Owls in the area should be known. Is it just because the (racist) Royal Family like to shoot?

[@chrismithchrismith]

...you don't have to be a racist to shoot, or be in the Royal family; anyone can join.

[@chrisguygeezer]

Your reply was going well until the last paragraph. In that instant you lost your credibility.

[@kgdancey]

@@chrisguygeezer Guess how many criminal acts have been perpetrated against raptors on Royal shooting estates? And guess how many 'Royals' are 'Patrons' of bird conservation charities? Your ignorance/deception is astounding.

[@simmymunchkin]

Most likely that the police involved in this case are friends of the landowners and probably shoot on that very estate too!!

[@dave6148]

'racist royal family'- have you got a brain? Stick to the subject in hand and you might get a bit of support

[@iambarks2814]

The landowner is the one who should be prosecuted

[@ianmorrison4661]

How do you know it was a gamekeeper seeing as they couldn't identify the suspect? What fell down could of been anything, no way could it be identified as a buzzard.

[@Jimmy-zl6np]

The technology to call the police during the occurence of the crime exists. Whats the point if you csnt even do that?!

[@garybushell354]

Just get in touch with me me and myself and a few of his friends Will Go Round and whoever has killed his Birds will go and sort them out out with pleasure

[@mauricebrown9094]

Everything has to eat in our world. Saddened by this.

[@floppytree1]

And they call themselves "The Guardians Of The Countryside" What a sick joke. He wouldn't be so brave if the bird was shooting back at him.

[@dai5839]

sorry but i would have to give him the hiding of his life.

[@erdevon3257]

Why are the police not at the estate and withdrawing all shooting rights, confiscating all firearms and vehicles that can be used in this crime

[@robsin2810]

All about money

[@herbyhannan1675]

Anyone caught shooting any animal should never be allowed to own a firearm again,if he’s a gamekeeper,he won’t be if he can’t carry a firearm,the laws are a joke,

[@paulburnett1344]

Name and shame the grouse moor and who owns it.

[@matthewtarnrspb5144]

Do you know I’m a member of the rspb that is discrase full that’s my worst thing for the nature

[@petersimpson9852]

What’s the point in reporting to the police their useless deal with him in the best way

[@if6was985]

Fair chance N.Yorks top plod know and class the landowners as good friends.

[@poontang8035]

It infuriates me. 😡

[@RemixedPhoenix]

Keep the good work up ! Im a Hunter myself. Geht the black sheeps!

[@richard21995]

Why on earth do they have to kill them?

[@thewhitbyphotographer]

Because they eat Baby Grouse. A grouse shoot can charge more based on numbers of grouse available. If the Buzzard ate all the baby grouse then the shoot can't command a higher fee. Yes that's appalling, but that's the name of the game, until its banned.

[@robertpewsey8931]

And will anyone be prosecuted? I doubt it. The country side alliance and rich land owners will be greasing palms to make sure no further action is required.

[@stuartmitton657]

You do a great job as volunteers but the money the RSPB receives should provide far better surveillance cameras. Enlist the help of local bird groups and get better imagery. Then the local rural crime teams will have better evidence. To be honest, with film quality like this, it’s basically useless in a court of law as the scumbag cannot be identified. The treatment of the owl deserves a custodial sentence let alone shooting the buzzards.

[@carolinejayes157]

We need stronger laws camera traps members of the public to report and film on phone etc also education to schools and wider public.

[@johnloxley8705]

This is a very disturbing video. I’ve only just started to get into looking for Birds of Prey. I do quite a lot of fishing when I get chance and obviously come across Birds of Prey along the way. They have a place on our planet is just as every other creature does ..In my eyes anyway. can someone explain to me why this is done. I don’t understand why they would want to kill beautiful creatures like this. I’m sure if it was a person in camouflage clothing using some sort of decoy to lure a human and then shoot them. I’m sure something would have been done well before now. They live and breathe just like we do so why are they any different. Anyway let’s hope some of these people get a heavy fine and even better still locked up for good !

[@robinbeavan5152]

You cant make out anything with that footage.

[@neilfarrow5554]

Er report it after this police update of no one prosucuted just wasting u time

[@funkystuf23]

Are you kidding me?? You’ve caught on camera twice and you couldn’t catch him? Worst still.. the police should of done a proper job and tracked the guy for future incidents and catch him in the act, not question him and not have enough evidence.. seems like everyone is doing a shoddy job

[@richardjohnson5529]

It's about time all grouse moore shooting was banned, & all firms of hunting(murdering) were banned

[@eddieellison3131]

After seeing a couple of these clips. 2 you people doing this pray 🙏 you never cross my path because you will be the one left smashed in the bushes

[@johnstones7484]

Disgusting 😡

[@hiddentape2911]

Disgusting…

[@ACshinealight]

How can the rspb “a charity” have so much power to force the government to introduce licensing to grouse moor estates ?? Astonishing. That’s not normal charity status that’s super power status when they misuse their funds (public donations) to lobby governments. I am all for raptor protection across the board but I am against org abusing it’s power and funds.

[@bigglesbiggles4999]

And how is the RSPB...abusing its power? pray tell me!

[@garethwigglesworth8187]

This was on my land

[@user-gi3xw5yc5u]

Why did you allow him to shoot the second Bird, you are as bad as him.

[@dallankeaney8419]

Good idea

[@davidmillan1157]

Sicking.pure.evil.jail.them.10.year.

[@noretreat6910]

Yep the old boys act again,,

[@gordonemery6949]

I remember a case years ago where the rspb put a un ringed sparrow hawk in someone's aviary just to get a conviction but got caught,wildlife crime always involves money...

[@hawthornekennels8450]

Sorry but the clarity of the 'setup' compared to the clarity of the 'shot' is massively noticeable and almost like they are trying to hide something. Then we have the fact that they saw all this including bird ID, the setup, the gamekeepers and the buzzards falling to their death from over 3 miles away? I mean seriously how good is their eyesight? Oh and they just happened to be 3 miles away looking at the exact piece of the moor where the gamekeeper was shooting buzzards! I could have come up with a better fiction story in my sleep 😂

[@iaindick395]

c mon..we alll know its to get rid of every raptor on a grouse moor..fact..how can you call grouse shooting sport..its nonsensical

[@camdig4385]

Chances are they were carrion crows but crows don't raise money for propaganda

[@shakeybeatz]

Wake up.

[@barbaradyson6951]

Bloody useless.

[@conradcodfish8638]

Taste good grouse

[@andrewrobinson9855]

Might be better to have quota on buzzard numbers so then control could be done humanely and not need to be done in an unprofessional and horrible manner. RSPB seemed pretty useless and ineffectual, or is it all a hoax?

[@billbo7630]

I agree, buzzard numbers are getting out of hand and some sort of control is needed. Trouble with the RSPB is they have blinkered vision, if only they would open their eyes a little more to using control when needed, alot more species would benefit.

[@thewhitbyphotographer]

Are the hen harriers out of hand too ?

[@fatherrob5128]

Fake video

[@kevinturner5857]

Cowardly little selfish people do this cruelty to our wildlife .....

[@kevinturner5857]

These vile cruel r wing thugs r evil , I find this cruel arrogant very distressing , how on earth r these cruel people still doing this to OUR beautiful wildlife , they hate wildlife n have no respect or care or concern for anything except killing everything , these cowardly bullying thugs r soulless evil 😢