Reward offered after peregrine falcon shot in Bishop Middleham

The bird was found alive but was so badly injured it had to be destroyed

A reward for information is being offered by the RSPB after a peregrine falcon was shot in County Durham.

The male bird was found on 4 June at Castle Lake nature reserve in Bishop Middleham and had to be destroyed because of the extent of its injuries.

The RSPB has offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution of whoever was responsible.

A charity spokesman said incidents like this increase intolerance towards this sort of criminal behaviour.

'Persecution'

Durham Police is also investigating the incident.

The RSPB said it did not know if the bird was part of a breeding pair in the area.

Investigations officer Howard Jones said: "This is another confirmed incident of bird of prey persecution in County Durham.

"Raptor persecution involving the shooting, poisoning, illegal trapping and nest destruction of birds of prey is one of the government's top national wildlife crime priorities and every incident likes this increases the public's intolerance towards this sort of criminal behaviour."

Peregrine falcons have been protected by law since 1954 and anyone found guilty of an offence faces up to a maximum of six months in prison and/or a £5,000 fine.