The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says 20 of the birds were lost in just one part of Derbyshire last year.

It suspects someone is deliberately targeting them.

Cameras with night-sights will be used to protect goshawks and peregrine falcons in the Derwent Valley, and for the first time the public will be able to watch the images live.

Systematic destruction

Mark Thomas from the RSPB said: "We need the public to see how fabulous these birds are.

"Seven nests were lost last year."

"The whole nest is being removed. Somebody is systematically trying to rid the valley of them," he added.

The nests have been rebuilt and both covert and overt cameras are in use 24 hours a day.

When the base of a conifer tree is approached, a sensor activates both a camera and a video recorder.

Eggs smashed

Mr Thomas said: "The birdwatchers in Derbyshire have been ringing up and asking where the goshawks are.

"As soon as the birds breed, the eggs are smashed or the nests vanish.

"These birds have been around for hundreds of years co-existing with their prey. People need to be educated about this."

There are no grouse in the Derwent Valley but its steep coniferous sides are surrounded by them, and they are hunted by the birds of prey.