Three birds shot with air rifle found on St Mary's
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has found three dead birds on St Mary's that it says were shot by an air rifle.
In a post on social media, the organisation asked that the perpetrator "please refrain from needlessly killing wild birds for the sheer hell of it".
The Wildlife Trust wrote yesterday (November 18th): "We're very sad to be posting this. Today whilst moving the cows our Ranger Team found two dead Woodcock and one dead Redwing, all of which have been shot with an air rifle.
"All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is therefore an offence, with certain exceptions, to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird.
"Woodcock are an exception as they are classed as game. As such, Woodcock can be shot for the table, but only at certain times of the year and there are restrictions in place during that time (i.e. not on a Sunday and not between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise); Redwing are not an exception and therefore it is illegal to intentionally harm or kill them."
The post continued: "Given the importance of our birds to many of our livelihoods, they are one of the reasons that many people visit Scilly, we ask whoever has done this to please refrain from needlessly killing wild birds for the sheer hell of it.
"We will be reporting this to the police because not only were these birds shot needlessly and in the case of the Redwing illegally, they were done so in a field where livestock were grazing.
"If the person who did this is feeling grown up enough to sort this matter out we would very much like to speak to you and would appreciate it if you got in touch. If not then you shouldn't be playing with an air rifle in the first place and should pass it on to someone who is more responsible."
>> British Association for Shooting & Conservation's Air Rifle Code of Practice