To the editor:

Horrified doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt after reading the front-page article in The Portsmouth Times (Oct. 5, 2023) entitled “Portsmouth man charged with shooting hawks.”

As a local wildlife photographer and lifelong advocate for animals and birds, it shocked me to read Robert Ferreira had been shooting at red-tailed and Cooper’s hawks for nearly three years. I don’t understand how this illegal activity had been going on for so long in a Portsmouth neighborhood. I can’t imagine people didn’t see something during all that time. They certainly heard “popping sounds consistent with the firing of a weapon,” but it sure took a while to report it. I’m just relieved a good Samaritan had the courage and common sense to finally contact the authorities. 

The article mentions Ferreira admitted shooting approximately 50 to 80 hawks because they were a threat to squirrels. Well, I have news, Mr. Ferreira, that’s the circle of life. Of course hawks will go after a squirrel if they are hungry enough. These raptors survive on birds and typically small mammals such as voles, rabbits, rats, and mice. 

I’m hoping by putting this story on the front page it highlights a common problem in society and that’s people not speaking up. As responsible citizens we should pay close attention to what’s going on around us and report any kind of abuse as soon as possible. If the police had been alerted back in 2018 when this first started, maybe those innocent hawks would still be alive today. As they tell you in airports, “See something? Say something.” 

One final note. The photo used in conjunction with this article was identified as a red-tailed Hawk when in fact it’s a Cooper’s hawk. 

Thank you for your time.

Jennifer Shepherd

15 Hammel Court

Portsmouth