A RARE bird of prey has disappeared in Wiltshire.

The RSPB fears a hen harrier called Vulcan may have been killed, branding the circumstances surrounding his disappearance "very suspicious"

The young bird, who was born in Northumberland last summer, had been satellite tagged as part of the conservation charity’s Hen Harrier LIFE project.

RSPB officers followed Vulcan’s progress as he flew south from Northumberland to the Peak District and down to Dorset. The last transmission from the bird’s radio tag put the bird’s location near Calstone Wellington, Wiltshire, on January 16.

RSPB Investigations staff and Wiltshire Police say they have searched the area, which is managed for pheasant and partridge shooting, but have not found Vulcan or his tag.

The authorities have described Vulcan’s disappearance as highly suspicious. Jack Ashton-Booth, RSPB assistant investigations officer, said: “When a bird you’ve been following since it was a chick suddenly disappears without a trace, it’s crushing.

“We’re not supposed to have favourites, but when I met Vulcan as a chick and saw his incredibly feisty spirit already showing through, I was smitten.

“I watched as he began to explore the world, always fearful that he might not make it past Christmas.

“Vulcan’s tag had been performing brilliantly, so for it to suddenly stop transmitting makes us very suspicious that something has happened to him.”

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.