Conservationists have condemned a string of attacks on wild birds after three gulls were shot.

Eastern Daily Press: David Carr has been nursing a gull that has recently been shot with an air rifle.David Carr has been nursing a gull that has recently been shot with an air rifle. (Image: ©archant2015)

The injuries to two of the birds - a pair of lesser black backed gulls - were so bad they had to be put down while the third - a herring gull - is recovering at a Norfolk wildlife sanctuary.

The birds, which are protected species, are believed to have been shot by an air rifle, after pellets were recovered from their wounds.

David Carr, who runs Wild Touch animal sanctuary in Rollesby, reported the shootings to police after the gulls were brought in to him.

The herring gull was found on August 9 in Arnold Street in Lowestoft and three days later the black backed gulls arrived after being found in Westerley Way in Caister.

Mr Carr said they had 'definitely' been shot with some kind of air gun.

'All three had broken wings and on the second black back gull the pellet had gone right through into the chest. The wounds were pretty horrendous.'

The wings of the black backed gulls were so badly broken they could not be fixed. The herring gullwas able to be treated and is hoped to make a full recovery.

Mr Carr added: 'We see an awful lot of animals come in, the difference is they're injured in an accident. But deliberate injuries like this, it makes you angry more than anything.'

Mr Carr thought two of the birds were shot while in flight, but the one that suffered the chest wound was likely to have been attacked while perching.

John Sharpe, RSPB conservation manager for Eastern England, said: 'Quite apart from the fact these birds have been illegally killed, there is also a serious question of public safety if individuals are taking pot-shots at gulls, and possibly other wildlife, with air rifles.'

He urged anyone with information about the shootings, or any other incidents, to contact police.