With the UK bird of prey population booming past the 250,000 barrier for the first time in hundreds of years, we should remember that suspected incidents of illegal killing remain extraordinarily low.
If the concerns of all fifty six walkers that rang the RSPB (News, 15 May) were ever confirmed, the odds of a bird of prey being killed illegally is still way below that of a reader being struck by lightning. Perhaps it’s time for a little more positive reporting of this huge conservation success story.
Andrew Gilruth
Director of Communications
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust