Newsletter / Blog
2012-05-17 On the brink of extinction as a breeding bird in England – Hen Harrier
The future for England's most
threatened bird of prey — the Hen Harrier — is looking perilous, as the species
teeters on the brink of extinction as a breeding bird. Early reports indicate
that only one pair is showing signs of nesting in England. If this situation
continues it will be the worst year for Hen Harriers since they recolonised England,
following extinction in the late 19th century. Worryingly, there are currently
no birds attempting to nest in the Bowland Fells, Lancashire — the bird's only stronghold in England in
recent decades.
Hen Harrier
The Hen Harrier - Circus
cyaneus - is a bird of prey that breeds throughout the northern
hemisphere. It migrates to more southerly areas in winter.
Description
The male is mainly grey above and
white below except for the upper breast, which is grey like the upperparts, and
the white rump. The wings are grey with black wingtips. The female is brown
above with white upper tail coverts. Juveniles are similar to females
with underparts buff streaked with brown.
Call
The male calls chek-chek-chek,
or chuk-uk-uk-uk during his display flight. The female gives a whistled piih-eh
when receiving food from the male and her alarm call is chit-it-it-it-it-et-it.
Food
Hen Harriers hunt small mammals
and birds.
Breeding
They breed on moorland, bogs and
farmland. The nest is placed on the ground. Four to six whitish eggs are laid.
Conservation Status –Least concern
This species has a large range,
with an estimated global extent 1–20 million km², and a population estimated at
1.3 million individuals. There is evidence of a population decline, but the
species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline
criterion of the ICUN Red List.
In the UK,
the Hen Harrier suffers illegal persecution by gamekeepers and their employers
on shooting estates, particularly those managed for Red Grouse shooting,
resulting in local and regional extinction in many areas, particularly in England where
only 4 breeding pairs survive despite abundant suitable habitat capable of
holding several hundred pairs. Because of this they are now very rare in many
parts of the UK,
and under threat in many more areas. |