THE sight of a bird of prey swooping spectacularly to land its quarry could become more common after a pledge was signed to protect them from persecution.

A total of 25 organisations including the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the RSPB have signed up to the commitment.

And the new wildlife minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, has signed a pledge recognising the importance of birds such as red kites and hen harriers as part of England's natural heritage.

Its says there "should be no place in England's future for the illegal killing of birds of prey".

That means threatened species seen in the Westcountry, such as the kestrel, hen harrier and peregrine falcon, will now have extra protection.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's director of conservation, said that the pledge was a "massive step in the right direction" for conserving England's birds of prey.

BASC chief executive John Swift said: "Strict protection under the law can only be anticipated if due regard is given to local rural communities and people's livelihoods."

Sophie Atherton, South West spokesman for the RSPB, said there were a number of species in the Westcountry that were deemed to be a "conservation concern".

She added: "We do get hen harriers, they don't breed here but they winter on Dartmoor and in the West of Cornwall.

"Most people will recognise the kestrel from it hovering close to roads. Unfortunately their number are going down and need all the help they can get.

"We even get ospreys as they pass through the region on their way to Africa. They can sometimes be seen at this time of year near the Exe estuary eating fish."