BIRD of prey persecution in West Sussex is becoming a problem at a time when at a time when peregrine falcons, raptors and buzzards have begun to re-establish themselves successfully in the county.
One man who hopes to change the trend is Detective Constable Jason Ede (38), wildlife crime officer for Sussex Police, and a trainee owl ringer.
He has always done a lot of work in bird monitoring and is now working in conjunction with Phil Everitt of the Sussex Peregrine Study to launch an initiative to protect wild birds of prey and bring offenders to justice.
Sussex Police is about to launch Operation Eyrie to combat the illegal bird of prey persecution that has been on the increase in the area.
A ringed peregrine chick- Picture Phil Everitt
Only last week Jason and Phil were out investigating a shooting incident near a peregrine roost- the latest in a number of incidents to arouse concern about preserving birds of prey.
Peregrines have a fragile hold in the county, constantly under threat and with only 26 mating pairs in the whole of Sussex.
For full feature and more pictures see West Sussex Gazette January 21
