by Orla Quaid

Kent has the highest crime rate against wild birds in the South East, outside of London.

Although the number of cases of cruelty towards rare and protected birds reported to the RSPB has seen a significant drop from 35 in 2007 to 23 in 2008, it’s still very high when compared with other counties.

Peregrine falcons, hen harriers, buzzards and white-tailed eagles are among the birds targeted. Some were poisoned, while others were shot or trapped and in some cases chicks were stolen from their nests.

Six months imprisonment is the maximum penalty for cruelty towards wild birds, but this type of punishment is very rare as most cases don’t even make it to court.

The figures were released as the RSPB campaigns for a tightening of the law, to increase the amount of convictions against those causing a threat to birds. It’s also pushing for more wildlife officers at the charity to help protect them.

Hester Phillips from the RSPB for the South-East