 Eggs have been stolen from the nests of peregrine falcons |
Wild birds of prey are being attacked and killed across Wales and their eggs are regularly stolen from their nests, according to a new report. The research, released by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), revealed there were 70 offences against birds in Wales last year.
Birds are being poisoned, trapped and shot, and people are illegally raising chicks hatched from stolen eggs.
South Wales has been identified as a trouble spot for offences, with 34 cases in the area.
There were also 14 incidents in the old county of Clwyd.
Stuart Thomson, from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Cymru, said the number of offences was worryingly high.
"We believe it is a minority of gamekeepers and pigeon fanciers, who believe the peregrines have a detrimental effect on their flocks.
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"But previous research has shown they are not - far more birds are lost to straying during racing, or colliding with objects."
He said the RSPB was hoping to work with pigeon fanciers to alleviate these concerns.
Offenders face fines of up to �5,000 and imprisonment if they are caught, but Mr Thomson said catching them was a problem.
"A lot of this happens away from urban areas - it is very difficult as we are very much relying on volunteers and members of the public," he said.
The RSPB's Birdcrime 2002 report shows that more than half of the 591 incidents involving wild birds reported across the UK were crimes against birds of prey or owls.
Of these, 141 involved shooting and destruction of birds of prey, 42 of which were confirmed by the recovery of a body or illegally-set trap.
Graham Elliott, who heads the RSPB's investigation section, said he was "alarmed" by the number of reported incidents.
"It is especially worrying that, against a trend of declining nest robberies following the imprisonment of several egg collectors, peregrine nest robberies continue at such a high level."
Across the UK, 33 offenders were prosecuted last year for crimes against wild birds, and six of those received custodial sentences.
But Terry Ash, of the South Wales Homing Pigeon Union, said pigeon fanciers were being unfairly singled out as those committing offences against birds of prey.
He said: "It is always pigeon fanciers who seem to get the blame for these incidents.
"While there may be a very small number who may take the law into their own hands if they have had their birds killed, more than 99% of all pigeon-fanciers are completely law-abiding."
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More than 99% of all pigeon-fanciers are completely law-abiding 
