Red kite shot dead in Chopwell Wood

A red kite was found dead from gunshot wounds within days of another rare bird being shot in North Yorkshire, it's been revealed.

The bird was shot dead in Chopwell Wood, near Rowlands Gill over Easter weekend. Examination by a veterinary surgeon revealed that the bird had two pellet wounds from an air rifle or a shotgun. The incident is being investigated by Northumbria Police

An adult female red kite was also found shot and injured at Low Marishes, north of Malton on March 25.

The latest incident at Chopwell Wood has been described as a new blow to establishing a viable population of these rare birds across the North East.

Friends of Red Kites, which monitors the local population of the species, has condemned the killing.

Red Kites are fully protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) which provides penalties of six months imprisonment or fines of up to £5,000.