You may have read in the local press recently that a buzzard has been shot and killed on the marshes near High Halstow near to the Northward Hill RSPB Reserve.

This is very sad news and, as an illegal act, this incident is being investigated by Kent Police and the RSPB. If you have any information relating to the High Halstow incident, do please call Kent Police on 101 and quote the crime reference: 11-0064 or you can call the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.

Meantime, if you should witness a bird crime or suspected offence against birds, here’s a link to the RSPB webpage with advice about who to contact and what details to record.

Should you find a wild bird of prey which you suspect has been illegally killed, email RSPB Investigations on crime@rspb.org.uk or fill in their online form.