Sparrowhawk shot dead at Yorkshire nature reserve

A police investigation has been launched after a Eurasian Sparrowhawk was shot dead at a nature reserve in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Police said the bird was shot with a pellet on either 20 or 21 March at Nosterfield Nature Reserve. Sparrowhawk is on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern.

Police are asking for witnesses to come forward after a Eurasian Sparrowhawk was killed at the Yorkshire nature reserve (Neil Rendall).

Yorkshire raptor crime

The incident follows three Red Kites shot near Westerdale and a Common Buzzard killed in Rosedale over the last 12 months, all in the North York Moors National Park.

The penalty for intentionally killing or harming a sparrowhawk is an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in jail. Anyone who saw an air rifle or similar weapon being carried at Nosterfield on the dates in question is asked to contact the North Yorkshire Police.