Probe after protected hen harrier shot dead in South Lanarkshire

A hen harrier has been shot dead in South Lanarkshire.

Police received a report that a man armed with a shotgun had killed the bird of prey near the Leadhills area on May 4.

The birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the suspect, who had his face covered, was seen near the area around 5.15pm when the bird was shot.

The man was see leaving hurriedly on a quad bike before police arrived.

Ian Thomson, RSPB Scotland's head of investigations, said: "This latest incident shows very clearly how protected birds of prey continue to be treated in some areas of our uplands, particularly where there is intensive grouse moor management.

"The hen harrier is an increasingly rare bird in southern and eastern Scotland, with illegal killing the main driver of this long term decline.

"This incident occurred only a few miles from where a satellite-tagged harrier, known as Annie, was found shot a couple of years ago, and is close to where another tagged bird, Chance, disappeared mysteriously last spring.

"We ask that, if anyone has information about this latest incident at Leadhills, they contact Police Scotland on 101."

The shooting was also condemned by the The Scottish Gamekeepers Association.

A spokesman said: "We ask all members or anyone else who knows anything about this case to give their full co-operation to Police Scotland.

"Such crimes are unacceptable and we condemn them unequivocally."