Investigation launched after bird of prey shot in the Highlands

An investigation has been launched after a bird of prey was shot in Inverness.

The sparrowhawk was found in the Cradlehall area on March 6th - potentially dying from an infection and starvation after the shooting.

A post-mortem by a vet revealed a pellet lodged within the bird’s chest, and concluded the bird had been shot with a shotgun.

It added the bird could have died some distance from where it was shot.

RSPB Scotland have outlined how wild birds are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Anyone found to have killed or injured a bird of prey could face an unlimited fine or even jail.

Alongside Police Scotland, the charity are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

RSPB Scotland's Head of Investigations, Ian Thomson said: "Sparrowhawks are one of the birds of prey you or I are most likely to encounter, as they live alongside us in parks and gardens.

"They hunt small birds by stealth and can be identified by their brilliantly piercing yellow eyes. The presence of Sparrowhawks and other birds of prey is a good indicator of a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

"This bird was shot with a shotgun, resulting in a drawn-out and painful death.

"Few people have access to such weapons, with even fewer motivated to shoot at protected birds of prey.

"We ask that if anyone has information about this incident, to please get in touch with Police Scotland or ourselves."

A spokesperson for the Inverness Urban Sparrowhawk Project added: "We are absolutely devastated to hear that someone has shot one of these beautiful and majestic birds: one we may have been monitoring this year here in Inverness.

"As part of our voluntary monitoring we have been checking nest sites and colour-ringing Sparrowhawks (with support and funding from the Highland Raptor Study Group (HRSG)).

"We hope that this will help to improve understanding of the local Sparrowhawk population, their movements, lifespans and the threats that they face.”

Anyone with any information relating to this incident, are being urged to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference number CR/0132125/25.

The public are also being urged to call Police Scotland on 101 and fill in the RSPB’s online reporting form, if a dead or injured bred of prey is spotted in suspicious circumstances.