Rare falcon shot near Maldon: police appeal for witnesses

By The Editor

7th Sep 2021 | Local News

A Eurasian Hobby Falcon
A Eurasian Hobby Falcon

A RARE falcon has been shot dead at a nature reserve close to Maldon.

Essex Police are appealing for information following the killing of the bird in the Blue House Farm Nature Reserve, North Fambridge.

Police were called with reports that a Hobby bird had been shot at around 9.40pm on Saturday (15 August) . The bird later died from its injuries.

PC Jed Raven from the Rural Engagement Team said: "These birds are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

"They are part of the falcon family and this occurred on an Essex Wildlife Trust Estate where it was in a protected environment.

"If anyone saw anything they are asked to please call on 101 quoting crime reference 42/127418/20."

Marc Outten from Essex Wildlife Trust said: "We are extremely alarmed to hear of an incident of raptor persecution in Essex, on the Trust's Blue House Farm nature reserve. The hobby is a small falcon that migrates to the UK from sub-Saharan Africa every summer. It is given the highest protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act as there are fewer than 2,000 breeding pairs in the UK.

"The Trust is working with Essex Police in their investigations to ensure these birds of prey are given the utmost protection."

     

New maldon Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: maldon jobs

Share:

Related Articles

Sir John Whittingdale pictured with NFU County Secretary Hamish Debnam-Sharp. (Credit: John Whittingdale)
Local News

Maldon MP defends farmers amist Budget's Agricultural Property Relief changes

Police patrolled the area while the dispersal order was in place. (Credit: Chloe Brewster)
Local News

Police bust Mayland 300 person party plans

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide maldon with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.