Rare vulture Sheffield sighting sparks hopes of more rare birds

And the trust says the rare bearded vulture sighting highlights the potential of Sheffield moors to support more birds of prey .

The sighting on Howden Moors is only the second time a bearded vulture has been recorded in the UK, having previously been seen in Dartmoor in 2016.

Although the precise origin of the bird is yet to be confirmed, it is thought to be a juvenile from a reintroduction programme in the Alps and was initially reported in the Netherlands and Belgium before visiting the UK.

There are thought to be between 600 and 1,000 pairs of the protected species in Europe.

Keith Tomkins, Sheffield lakeland landscape partnership programme manager at the trust, was one of the first people to see the bird locally, following a chance encounter while out walking in early July.He said: “Even from a distance you can tell it is out of the ordinary. Its flight behaviour is quite different from the raptors I normally see, and when it came closer, the size of the bird made it apparent it was the bearded vulture.

"At first, I thought it was being mobbed by jackdaws, but then I realised they were ravens which appeared small in comparison."

Ian Cracknell, trust advocacy officer, said: “While it is fantastic so many people have been to see the bearded vulture roosting on our moors, this species is also really susceptible to disturbance, so we are asking people to please keep their distance and respect this wonderful bird.”

The trust is concerned for the safety of the vulture and other birds of prey, due to the incidents of wildlife persecution in the area.A number of shooting, suspected poisoning and nest robbery incidents involving birds of prey in the Peak District National Park have come to light since lockdown, raising fears for the bird’s safety – the remains of a short-eared owl were found on a grouse moor in the north of the park on May 7. It had been shot.

All birds of prey are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To intentionally kill or injure one is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine or jail.