POLICE are appealing for information after the nest of a rare bird-of-prey was disturbed.

Police said that disturbance to an adult goshawk nest near Helmsley was caused on a number of occasions in Spring last year, and shots were heard fired on two occasions.

"It is not known if any birds were shot, however the nesting attempt failed and this may have been a result of the repeated disturbance at the site," police said.

A number of technical enquiries are now underway by North Yorkshire Police’s specialist Wildlife Crime Officers, and one suspect has been interviewed under caution in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking the public for assistance to identify two men who may have important information that could assist the investigation.

Anyone who recognises either of the men pictured above, or has any information about the incident, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12170103211 or email jeremy.walmsley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

The RSPB, which is helping police in their investigations, has released the following video.

WARNING: Contains some graphic images

A goshawk is a large, short-winged woodland hawk that resembles a large sparrowhawk.

They almost went extinct at the end of the 1800s but have slowly come back to some areas of the country.

They are often the target of persecution, even though they are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and listed on Schedule 1 of the Act.

Howard Jones, RSPB Investigations Officer, said: “We are very concerned that this was an attempt to shoot the goshawks or disturb the adults to make them desert the nest site.

"Goshawks are magnificent birds and should be widespread throughout North Yorkshire. The idea that people are deliberately trying to destroy nests and prevent them from raising chicks is beyond belief.

“Birds of prey in the North York Moors National Park are at a huge risk of persecution, and this county consistently proves the worst in the country for the illegal killing of birds of prey.

"This latest evidence shows the pressures they continue face. We are grateful for the enquiries being made by North Yorkshire Police in relation to the events recorded. We hope that further information emerges to help identify these individuals.”