Red-footed Falcon found shot dead in Cambridgeshire

One of the summer's most popular birds, the first-summer male Red-footed Falcon that was widely twitched in Staffordshire and Lincolnshire from early July to early September, was found shot dead near Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, on 19 September.

Police enquiries have been taking place, but a public appeal has now been launched by Cambridgeshire Police, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the RSPB, with the wildlife charity offering a £1,000 reward for information.

The falcon was found shot dead in Cambridgeshire on 19 September 2015 (Photo: RSPB)

The x-ray clearly reveals a pellet embedded in the bird's neck (Photo: RSPB)

RSPB senior investigations officer Mark Thomas said: "The death of this beautiful and rare bird is sickening; it has spent nearly three months touring the UK and delighting thousands of people only to be shot dead in Cambridgeshire.

"I only hope that someone who knows something about the circumstances in which this bird was killed will share any information they have to help the police in their investigation."

Anyone with information about who may be responsible should contact the police immediately on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please also inform the RSPB Investigations Section at The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, on 01767 680551.

First seen in Staffs from early July to 8 August, this Red-footed Falcon then entertained visitors to Willow Tree Fen, Lincs, from 12 August - 2 September. It was also presumed to be the bird seen in Northumberland on 9-10 September. (Photo: Ivan Ellison)