TWO incidents in which birds have been attacked with a slingshot in Burnham-on-Sea have taken place over the past two weeks.

On Tuesday, January 30, Highbridge-based Secret World Wildlife Rescue received a phone call from a member of the public who witnessed two young people firing a slingshot at birds flying over Apex Park.

One herring gull had been hit, and was grounded, but out of reach of the Secret World response driver as it had made its way onto the water.Weston Mercury: The injured herring gull suffered a dropped wing, and had to be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.The injured herring gull suffered a dropped wing, and had to be put to sleep to prevent further suffering. (Image: Secret World Wildlife Rescue)

The next day, another driver was able to rescue the gull at the edge of the lake, although it had sadly suffered a dropped wing and had a wound to its head.

As a result, the bird was taken to Bridge Vets where it was put to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Two weeks prior, also at Apex Park, the police and Secret World attended an incident where two swans were attacked with a slingshot as they were making their way through the ice on the lake.Weston Mercury: The wounded gull fell into the water, and suffered with its injuries for an entire day before response drivers could rescue it.The wounded gull fell into the water, and suffered with its injuries for an entire day before response drivers could rescue it. (Image: Secret World Wildlife Rescue)

Secret World reminds the perpetrators that it is against the law to intentionally kill or injure any wild birds in the UK and urges anyone witnessing such a crime to report it to the police immediately.

The charity believes education is key to reducing attacks on wildlife and offers talks in schools about British wildlife and what can be done to help, encouraging young people to appreciate their local wildlife. To find out more visit Secret World’s website or email Learning@secretworld.org.

Secret World's Learning and Engagement Officer, George, said: “Although gulls may be a familiar sight to those of us that live in seaside towns in the south west, they are actually a declining species; herring gulls are listed on the UK Red List as a species of conservation concern.”

“Sadly, this is not the first report of wildlife crime we have heard about in the local area.

"There have recently been a number of attacks on pigeons in Taunton being shot off the railway bridge where they are roosting.

"It is concerning to hear about young people treating wildlife in this way."