Chris Monk
Well-known member
RSPB turns up the heat on bird of prey killers
The RSPB has launched a two-pronged attack on those killing hen harriers, one of England's rarest nesting birds of prey, by preparing to launch a round-the-clock nest protection scheme to protect the bird on one of its nature reserves in northern England. The Society is also launching a hen harrier hotline appealing for records of hen harriers on English moorlands.
Last year only ten pairs of hen harrier nested in England, all in the Forest of Bowland, in Lancashire. Regular sightings of several individual harriers around Geltsdale, straddling the Cumbria and Northumberland border, have raised hopes that the birds may nest on the RSPB's Geltsdale nature reserve. The RSPB will launch the £40,000 scheme, including a 24-hour 'vigil', if the birds settle down to nest.
Julian Hughes, RSPB head of species conservation, said: 'Because of relentless persecution the hen harrier has become one of England's rarest birds of prey. Illegal killing is the principal reason why this beautiful bird of prey is absent from almost all areas of suitable moorland across northern England.
'Many of our one million members will be aghast that the RSPB will be forced to spend such a large amount of money protecting birds from persecution on our own land, but without this intense protection recent history tells us the birds, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to persecution.'
'As a result of persecution hen harriers first disappeared from England's moors around 150 years ago and it is very depressing how little has changed'Since 1995, the RSPB has compiled a shocking catalogue of hen harrier persecution incidents in the Geltsdale area. In 1995, at least seven harrier nests failed due to persecution. In 1997 a male harrier was shot. In 1998, a corpse of a shot harrier was found on the reserve.
In 1999, a female harrier was poisoned. In 2000, a female harrier was shot and in 2001, six eggs mysteriously disappeared from a harrier nest. Hen harriers last nested at Geltsdale in 2003, when four young were raised.
For four years nesting hen harriers in England have been monitored by English Nature. Richard Saunders, English Nature's hen harrier project manager, said: 'As a result of persecution hen harriers first disappeared from England's moors around 150 years ago and it is very depressing how little has changed.
'Over this time managed grouse moors have safeguarded some of our most precious moorland habitats, so it is disappointing that the reputation of shooting is still tarnished by those who continue to persecute one of our rarest and most beautiful birds.'
A UK-wide survey of hen harrier last year showed there has been a 44% per cent increase in hen harrier numbers since 1998. However these increases have occurred largely away from grouse moors, especially Wales, Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
Julian Hughes added: 'The outlook for harriers in northern England and southern Scotland is increasingly bleak. Numbers on grouse moors have fallen and illegal persecution is strongly implicated.
'Police forces recognise that hen harrier persecution is the greatest threat to the bird's long-term future in Britain. Last year they launched Operation Artemis to crack down on those denying this magnificent bird of prey a future in our uplands.'
The RSPB has today launched a hen harrier hotline, urging anyone seeing these birds of prey on English moorland to report their sighting, giving exact details of the bird's location. The Society will use the information to ensure the protection of any nesting hen harriers. Callers can contact the hotline on 01767 680551.
The RSPB has launched a two-pronged attack on those killing hen harriers, one of England's rarest nesting birds of prey, by preparing to launch a round-the-clock nest protection scheme to protect the bird on one of its nature reserves in northern England. The Society is also launching a hen harrier hotline appealing for records of hen harriers on English moorlands.
Last year only ten pairs of hen harrier nested in England, all in the Forest of Bowland, in Lancashire. Regular sightings of several individual harriers around Geltsdale, straddling the Cumbria and Northumberland border, have raised hopes that the birds may nest on the RSPB's Geltsdale nature reserve. The RSPB will launch the £40,000 scheme, including a 24-hour 'vigil', if the birds settle down to nest.
Julian Hughes, RSPB head of species conservation, said: 'Because of relentless persecution the hen harrier has become one of England's rarest birds of prey. Illegal killing is the principal reason why this beautiful bird of prey is absent from almost all areas of suitable moorland across northern England.
'Many of our one million members will be aghast that the RSPB will be forced to spend such a large amount of money protecting birds from persecution on our own land, but without this intense protection recent history tells us the birds, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to persecution.'
'As a result of persecution hen harriers first disappeared from England's moors around 150 years ago and it is very depressing how little has changed'Since 1995, the RSPB has compiled a shocking catalogue of hen harrier persecution incidents in the Geltsdale area. In 1995, at least seven harrier nests failed due to persecution. In 1997 a male harrier was shot. In 1998, a corpse of a shot harrier was found on the reserve.
In 1999, a female harrier was poisoned. In 2000, a female harrier was shot and in 2001, six eggs mysteriously disappeared from a harrier nest. Hen harriers last nested at Geltsdale in 2003, when four young were raised.
For four years nesting hen harriers in England have been monitored by English Nature. Richard Saunders, English Nature's hen harrier project manager, said: 'As a result of persecution hen harriers first disappeared from England's moors around 150 years ago and it is very depressing how little has changed.
'Over this time managed grouse moors have safeguarded some of our most precious moorland habitats, so it is disappointing that the reputation of shooting is still tarnished by those who continue to persecute one of our rarest and most beautiful birds.'
A UK-wide survey of hen harrier last year showed there has been a 44% per cent increase in hen harrier numbers since 1998. However these increases have occurred largely away from grouse moors, especially Wales, Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
Julian Hughes added: 'The outlook for harriers in northern England and southern Scotland is increasingly bleak. Numbers on grouse moors have fallen and illegal persecution is strongly implicated.
'Police forces recognise that hen harrier persecution is the greatest threat to the bird's long-term future in Britain. Last year they launched Operation Artemis to crack down on those denying this magnificent bird of prey a future in our uplands.'
The RSPB has today launched a hen harrier hotline, urging anyone seeing these birds of prey on English moorland to report their sighting, giving exact details of the bird's location. The Society will use the information to ensure the protection of any nesting hen harriers. Callers can contact the hotline on 01767 680551.
