A record-breaking 119 hen harrier chicks successfully fledged from nests in uplands in County Durham, Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, and Yorkshire in 2022, according to Natural England and partners, including the RSPB.
More than 100 hen harriers were introduced to the English population for the first time in more than a century, demonstrating substantial progress in attempts to preserve and increase their numbers.
In the past, hen harriers may be found in both highland and lowland areas of Britain, including several English counties.
However, owing to persecution that was declared illegal in 1954 but still occurs in certain locations today, they became extraordinarily uncommon breeding birds in England after 1830.
The hen harrier is now one of the most endangered breeding raptors in England.
One of our most recognisable birds, hen harriers have an owl-like face and stiff facial feathers that funnel sound into their ears so they can hunt more successfully.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, stated:
The rehabilitation of this magnificent species has made great strides this year, with the number of fledged birds reaching over 100 for the first time in more than a century.
It is evidence of the commitment of the volunteers, landowners, and employees from all of our partner organisations who work so hard to safeguard, support, and keep an eye on these at-risk birds.
Despite this year’s accomplishment, it is still evident that there is a long way to go before hen harrier populations really recover to where they would be without criminal persecution—many birds, tragically, continue to go missing.
In order to reduce the rate of persecutors and achieve long-term, complete healing, we are dedicated to carrying out our current work with our partners.
Following a low in 2016 when just eight chicks fledged, this is the sixth year in a row that there have been rises.
In 2022, 49 nests were noted, and 34 of them were successful in hatching offspring.
18 nests in Bowland, which is part of Lancashire, were noted as well as a concentration of territory in Northumberland (nine nests).
The Yorkshire Dales & Nidderdale area had ten nests, seven were in the North Pennines, and five were in the Peak District.
Compared to prior years, when just a few couples nested annually, especially in Bowland, this reflects a promising rise in numbers throughout their range.
13 birds were removed from four nests on grouse moors, raised, and released as part of the Brood Management Trial, making up the total number of chicks.
In addition to adding healthy adult birds to the population, this experiment intends to determine if this method may change the views of the local moorland people and lessen persecution.
Five birds that had previously been handled as a brood reproduced successfully in 2022, giving birth to a total of 10 offspring.
Natural England is actively engaged in a variety of programmes to guarantee the recovery of hen harriers, including the Hen Harrier Action Plan released by Defra in 2016.
These consist of:
Improved bird movement and behaviour comprehension via satellite tracking
granting permits to enable individuals to “diversionary feed” (extra food) breeding Hen Harriers
establishing a plan to bring back hen harriers to southern England
Working with the National Wildlife Crime Unit to deliver improvements in how Natural England, the police, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders can collaborate to prevent, identify, and take effective enforcement action in relation to raptor persecution incidents through the secondment of a senior enforcement officer from NE into the police
The purpose of brood management is to add healthy adults to the breeding population, change attitudes, and lessen persecution by removing nestlings from grouse moors, raising them securely in captivity, and then releasing them.
The hen harrier is included on the red list of birds of conservation concern in the UK and is considered fragile across Europe. It is a species that is crucial for England’s efforts to conserve biodiversity.
Additional details:
To make sure that the young hen harriers are adequately cared for and safeguarded in the future, a number of organisations have joined forces.
Natural England, the RSPB, the Forestry Commission, the Moorland Association, United Utilities, the National Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Northumberland National Park Authority, Peak District National Park Authority, Nidderdale & Forest of Bowland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, local police forces, specific Estates and their keepers, farmers, and a group called the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust are
The hen harrier is classified on Annex 1 of the EC Birds Directive because it is an endangered species in the UK and is regarded as vulnerable across Europe.
According to Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, it is a species of primary significance for the preservation of biodiversity in England.