Newsletter / Blog
2011-12-16 Hen Harriers disappearing from England for a second time!
The Hen
Harrier - Circus cyaneus - or Northern Harrier – in North America. 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.
In a 2011 joint
survey of the English uplands by the RSPB and Natural England found that only
four nesting pairs of Hen Harrier successfully raised young; all were on a
single estate in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire.
This is believed to be the lowest population in England since they decolonized in
the 1960s following extinction in the late 19th century. Historically, the Hen
Harrier was widespread in England.
A demonstration
partnership project at Langholm Moor, in the Scottish Borders, is looking at
the effectiveness of a measure known as 'diversionary feeding', where an
alternative food supply is left for the harriers, so that the birds have a
source of food and won't be tempted to take Red Grouse chicks. Early results
look promising, enabling the birds to nest successfully without causing alarm
to grouse moor owners and managers. Preliminary results show that no grouse
chicks have been brought to monitored Hen Harrier nests in four years at the
study site. Martin Harper of the RSPB's believes the potential for diversionary
feeding will provide a lifeline for the recovery of the English Hen Harrier.
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