All across the country native birds of prey are bouncing back after centuries of persecution by mankind...

Which is a good thing, right?

Not if you’re favourite thing in life is a bird of prey’s favourite snack.

Pigeon fanciers all over the land are wringing their flat caps in despair at the rising numbers of the biggest culprits, sparrowhawks, which they say are taking about 75,000 birds a year.

A campaign, backed by former England footballer Gerry Francis, has been launched by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA), calling for laws to allow pigeon fanciers to trap sparrowhawks and relocate them.

“This year I’ve been losing birds every time when I let them out for a flight” - Mr Cowper

Among those affected by the hawks is Bill Cowper, secretary of Medway Two Bird Specialist Club, who has been racing pigeons for 50 years.

“It’s a big problem for pigeon fanciers,” said Mr Cowper, 72, who keeps his pigeons at his home in Cliffe Woods. “I’m losing three or four birds a week.

“It’s one of those problems that’s all over the country. It’s got out of hand.

“This year I’ve been losing birds every time when I let them out for a flight.”

He described how he no longer lets his birds out early in the morning, for fear of the taloned menace lurking nearby.

“You see the hawks sitting up in the trees, waiting for them to be let out,” he said. “Years ago we used to lose a couple. This year I started with 36 and I’m down to 14.

“I’m not going to say it’s all them but this is the worst year I’ve known for a long time.

“You see the pigeons walking around on the ground, with all the babies out, and all of a sudden a hawk’s come down and snatched them.”

But should the sparrowhawks be so maligned?

The RSPB argues they should not, quoting independent research that shows only 14% of all losses of racing pigeons is due to raptors.

This compared to 36% caused by pigeons “straying”, and 34% caused by crashing into overhead wires and vehicles.

Tim Webb of the RSPB said this showed the blame was misplaced, but regardless of the statistics he said wild bird conservation had to come first and foremost.

“All wild birds, including birds of prey, are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which is reinforced by the European Birds Directive,” he said. “Of course, we don’t like to see any change in those laws.

“We’re losing 60% of all wildlife, and species are dying out. It’s hard enough trying to enforce the existing laws to protect these species.”

He said any weakening of wildlife laws would be “a nightmare.”

“Birds of prey have inhabited the British Isles for thousands of years,” he added. “They predate people.

“There’s a natural balance between predators and prey.”