A CUMBRIAN gamekeeper has admitted shooting dead two protected owls on a grouse moor.

Timothy Cowin pleaded guilty at Lancaster Magistrates' Court to two charges concerning the intentional killing of short-eared owls on the Whernside Estate in Cumbria.

He also pleaded guilty to one charge relating to the possession of items capable of being used to commit offences against wild birds.

The court heard that he was arrested in April last year by police after RSPB officers visited the area following a previous incident.

The officers believed Cowin, 44, was illegally using an electronic calling device to lure in birds for shooting. He was seen walking on the moor holding a gun. Watching through a telescope, an RSPB officer saw Cowin shoot and kill two short-eared owls before disposing of their bodies on the moor.

The police were called immediately and, after a pursuit on foot, Cowin was intercepted and arrested. Both owl corpses were recovered, and a post-mortem examination confirmed they had been shot.

Cowin was fined £400 for killing each owl and £200 for possessing the calling device, which was forfeited by the court.

He was ordered to pay £170 costs and a £40 victim surcharge - total of £1,210.