Birds - shot and persecuted
For its relatively small size, a remarkably high number of bird species have been recorded in the UK.
While some are still numerous, many are in decline. Enormous changes in land use, over-use of pesticides, pollution, and lax enforcement of planning and development legislation have taken a huge toll. The UK has lost an estimated 19 million breeding pairs (almost 40 million individual birds) since widespread monitoring began in the late 1960s.
While Protect the Wild cares about all birds, we can’t solve all the problems our birds face. We can though help dismantle the businesses built on exploiting and abusing some of them.
The species we’ve focussed on below are targeted by the shooting and fishing industries. Shot, poisoned, trapped, or persecuted to support businesses that exploit wildlife. It is morally and ethically indefensible. Help us stop them.
Birds shot for 'sport' or 'culled'
Geese
Geese
Learn MoreDucks
Ducks
Learn MorePtarmigan
Ptarmigan
Learn MoreRed Grouse
Red Grouse
Learn MoreBlack Grouse
Black Grouse
Learn MoreGrey Partridge
Grey Partridge
Learn MorePheasant
Pheasant
Learn MoreGolden Plover
Golden Plover
Learn MoreEurasian Curlew
Eurasian Curlew
Learn MoreWoodcock
Woodcock
Learn MoreCommon Snipe
Common Snipe
Learn MoreGreat Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Learn MoreBirds of prey targeted by the shooting industry
Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle
Learn MoreGoshawk
Goshawk
Learn MoreMarsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier
Learn MoreHen Harrier
Hen Harrier
Learn MorePeregrine
Peregrine
Learn MoreRed Kite
Red Kite
Learn MoreWhite-tailed Eagle
White-tailed Eagle
Learn MoreCommon Buzzard
Common Buzzard
Learn More
READ OUR RECENT SUBSTACK ARTICLES ABOUT THE SHOOTING INDUSTRY
Lead shot to be phased out by 2029 (July 2025)
Are Red Grouse ‘wildlife’? (July 2025)
Ban Grouse Shooting Debate (June 2025)
Bloodbusiness.info – one way we are tackling the shooting industry (June 2025)
Number of Hen Harriers killed or missing reaches new high (June 2025)
Moscar Moor: a blight on the Peak District (June 2025)