A red kite was found dead last October after eating poison

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' Birdcrime 2004 survey reveals the persecution of birds of prey is continuing at a high level.

It records 481 confirmed or alleged cases of wild birds killed last year.

Bird of prey danger areas include northern England, southern and eastern Scotland and the Peak District.

The list of affected birds includes native species such as hen harriers, peregrine falcons and red kites.

The RSPB has produced two maps showing bird of prey persecution and poisoning rates across Britain between 1995 and 2004.

Persecution includes shooting, trapping and nest destruction.

A red kite, released into Gateshead's Derwent Valley as part of a project to restore the birds to North East skies, was found dead near Haltwhistle last October.

Analysis revealed a lethal dose of the banned pesticide carbofuran killed the kite, which had fed on a rabbit carcase deliberately laced with the poison.

'Serious risk'

In March, a peregrine falcon was found dead at Geltsdale, in the North Pennines. A post-mortem examination confirmed it had also died as a result of carbofuran poisoning.

In another incident, a buzzard, which was one of two found in the North Pennines, also died from carbofuran poisoning. The birds were found next to a dead rabbit which was laced with the poison.

RSPB North England regional director Andy Bunten said: "The illegal use of deadly poisons in the north of England creates a serious risk to people and to wildlife."