WHEN writing his letter to you (Knaresborough Post, July 24) in response to Nigel Heptinstall’s column on peregrine persecution, Adrian Blackmore of the Countryside Alliance appears to have been confused.

Many of the comments he attributes to me and to the RSPB were in fact clearly the opinion of Mr Heptinstall himself.

He was quite right, however, when he pointed out the RSPB is entirely neutral on the issue of countryside sports unless they impact on the aims of the society. Putting an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey is a key aim of the society and it is for this reason we have suggested the idea of licensing grouse moors as one way to break the current deadlock.

We believe that the facts surrounding the illegal killing of birds of prey speak for themselves and we are very grateful to the many thousands of people who already signed our pledge, calling for an end to the senseless killing.

I would echo Mr Heptinstall in asking your readers to add their names today – www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey