Pigeon fanciers are being accused of targeting peregrine falcons in the West Midlands in a series of sick attacks, including lacing their prey with poison.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has announced it has had one of the worst years on record for crimes against peregrines, and some of the most horrific cases have happened in this region.

The RSPB has been flooded with reports of birds being poisoned, trapped and shot and of their chicks being taken from the nest.

Reported incidents in the UK already number more than 50 for the year, with more waiting to be processed. There were 79 attacks reported for the whole of 2007.

As a result, the RSPB is urging the Government to add peregrines to its list of priority species for wildlife crime enforcement. In Walsall, a racing pigeon was found with a pill capsule taped to its leg.

A tip-off that some pigeon fanciers in the area were targeting peregrines led to the capsule being sent for tests and results showed it had been filled with the banned pesticide Aldicarb.

Elsewhere a peregrine crash-landed in a back garden near Lichfield with its leg caught in a spring trap. It later died of its injuries.

A search of nearby quarries by RSPB officers found three more traps on a ledge used by peregrines.

RSPB investigations officer Mark Thomas said: “It has been a terrible year. One of the worst I can remember. In the last few weeks, barely a day has gone by without a call about peregrine persecution.

“We have had multiple reports of attempts to target peregrines with poisoned baits and lethal traps and now we have one bird confirmed as shot.

“These crimes are cruel, needless and selfish. That they happen at all in the 21st Century is a disgrace. Peregrines have taken 30 years to recover from the devastating effects of pesticide poisoning and still we find them targeted by people who hold a grudge against them.

“This has included rogue elements within the pigeon racing and game shooting communities, who blame them for the loss of their birds. Then there are those crooked individuals intent on taking eggs and chicks for falconry. The Government recently made the persecution of birds of prey one of the UK’s wildlife crime priorities, with emphasis on five key species.

“The RSPB believes peregrines should now be added to that list.

Mr Thomas said: “We urgently need the Government to place peregrines on the list of priority species for wildlife crime enforcement and make sure captive birds are properly registered.

“These crimes are committed by a selfish minority and are completely unacceptable. We need the public to support the RSPB’s campaign to end the illegal killing of birds of prey.”

To sign the RSPB’s on-line pledge to stamp out the illegal practice visit rspb. org.uk/birdsofprey