Goshawks and Peregrines are now considered extinct as breeding species in north-east Peak moors

The worst year on record for suspected cases of bird of prey persecution in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District has been highlighted in a newly-published RSPB report.

Peak Malpractice Update 2007 unveils a catalogue of suspicious incidents discovered last summer.

And the report reveals that goshawks and peregrines are now extinct as breeding species in the north-east Peak moors.

Calling on leading voices in the countryside to join the RSPB in the fight to halt these crimes, Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s director of conservation, says: "Failure to condemn and tackle illegal persecution is costing the lives of some of our most spectacular birds.

'Statutory agencies, voluntary groups and landowners should be prepared to take a stand against what, in the 21st century, is a totally unacceptable blight on one of the UK’s most important places for people and wildlife. The RSPB is proud to be a voice for nature but we need others to rally to this cause.'

He added: 'The list of sickening incidents of apparent persecution in the Dark Peak continues to rise. In 2006, we recorded 17 incidents of suspected illegal persecution in the Peak District.

One Peregrine was found to have been shot on two separate occasions

'It is shocking also to have to report that birds such as goshawks and peregrines are now extinct as breeding species in the north-east Peak moors – an appalling state of affairs that cannot be allowed to continue.'

Peak Malpractice Update 2007 follows a report issued last year into the plight of birds of prey in the Dark Peak, which showed that during the previous 10 years, some species, particularly goshawks, declined dramatically, in sharp contrast to other parts of the country.

Among the horrific list of incidents last year, a female peregrine was found dead after being shot on two separate occasions; laboratory tests showed that a raven had been poisoned; and goshawk chicks disappeared from a traditional nest site after the tree was climbed by someone using climbing irons.

Dr Avery went on: 'Even the heartening news that 10 hen harrier chicks fledged from two nests in the Dark Peak was tainted by the knowledge that both adult males suspiciously disappeared. It was only intervention by conservationists providing food and round-the-clock monitoring that enabled the young birds to survive and safely leave the nests.'