Glenn Brown, 39, operated the trap on land in the Upper Derwent Valley, Derbyshire, on various dates between April 14 and May 25 last year, Chesterfield Magistrates' Court heard. Brown, who denied all charges against him, was filmed by the RSPB bird charity using a cage baited with a live pigeon to trap a sparrowhawk and arrested by police last May, the Press Association reported.
Although cage traps are legal in certain circumstances for predator control, it is unlawful to use a pigeon as bait and to capture birds of prey. Brown was convicted of seven offences under the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981, sentenced to 100 hours community service and ordered to pay 10,000 pounds costs.
Mark Thomas, RSPB investigations officer, said in a statement: "We welcome this conviction as it sends a clear message that the persecution of birds of prey remains a serious crime."
