Chris Monk
Well-known member
News from the RSPB:
England's 'Most Endangered Bird of Prey' Nests at North Pennines Site: Four
Young Hen Harriers Successfully Fly the Nest
Four young Hen Harriers - the most endangered bird of prey in England - have
successfully flown from a nest in the North Pennines, the RSPB announced
today.
The pair of Hen Harriers, one of England's rarest and most spectacular
birds, has nested at a remote upland site on the RSPB's Geltsdale nature
reserve, which covers a large area of moorland in Cumbria and
Northumberland.
Staff and volunteers from the RSPB and from English Nature's Hen Harrier
recovery project have kept a round-the-clock guard on the nest of the rare
birds since they arrived in April.
Only a handful of Hen Harriers nest in England, usually on moorland, and the
only regular breeding areas are in the North Pennines and in the Forest of
Bowland in Lancashire. In 2002, there were just seven successful breeding
females in England, which raised twenty-two chicks.
Dave Barrett, RSPB North of England reserves manager, said: "It is great
news that these magnificent birds have successfully nested at the Geltsdale
reserve. The English Hen Harrier population is perilously low, so every
chick that successfully fledges is precious and we are delighted to have
four new recruits to the population. This nest was only successful because
of a hugely labour intensive nest protection operation and we are grateful
to everyone who put in such long hours in all weathers to help safeguard the
nest, eggs and chicks."
RSPB Regional Director, Andy Bunten, added: "The absence of Hen Harriers
from wide swathes of upland England is a national disgrace. It's high time
we reached a situation where we no longer have to guard harrier nests 24
hours a day, where harriers can nest in England without constant danger of
persecution, and members of the public can have opportunities to enjoy
watching these spectacular birds."
The RSPB and English Nature will be following the progress of the birds
closely now that they have left the nest, and hope that they will eventually
nest and rear young themselves. The chicks from the Geltsdale nest - 2 males
and 2 females - have been wing and radio tagged for identification purposes
and their movements will be tracked by the English Nature project team
during the next few months.
Illegal killing is the principal reason why Hen Harriers are absent from
almost all areas of suitable moorland habitat in the north of England and
they are one of the most persecuted birds in the UK.
Hen Harriers, along with all other birds of prey, are fully protected by UK
law and anyone disturbing, killing, injuring or taking birds, their nests or
eggs can face a fine of up to £5,000 for each incident or six months in
prison.
This spring, English Nature and the RSPB also expressed concern about the
future of England's Hen Harriers following the burning of heather moorland
around several known Hen Harrier sites.
David Hirst, RSPB
Friday 27 June 2003
English Nature launched its Hen Harrier recovery project in April 2002
following Hen Harrier numbers failing to perilously low levels in England.
The project will run for 3 years and aims to: monitor the Hen Harrier
population in England and its breeding success; identify the factors that
are currently restricting Hen Harrier numbers; take measures to increase the
Hen Harrier population in England.
England's 'Most Endangered Bird of Prey' Nests at North Pennines Site: Four
Young Hen Harriers Successfully Fly the Nest
Four young Hen Harriers - the most endangered bird of prey in England - have
successfully flown from a nest in the North Pennines, the RSPB announced
today.
The pair of Hen Harriers, one of England's rarest and most spectacular
birds, has nested at a remote upland site on the RSPB's Geltsdale nature
reserve, which covers a large area of moorland in Cumbria and
Northumberland.
Staff and volunteers from the RSPB and from English Nature's Hen Harrier
recovery project have kept a round-the-clock guard on the nest of the rare
birds since they arrived in April.
Only a handful of Hen Harriers nest in England, usually on moorland, and the
only regular breeding areas are in the North Pennines and in the Forest of
Bowland in Lancashire. In 2002, there were just seven successful breeding
females in England, which raised twenty-two chicks.
Dave Barrett, RSPB North of England reserves manager, said: "It is great
news that these magnificent birds have successfully nested at the Geltsdale
reserve. The English Hen Harrier population is perilously low, so every
chick that successfully fledges is precious and we are delighted to have
four new recruits to the population. This nest was only successful because
of a hugely labour intensive nest protection operation and we are grateful
to everyone who put in such long hours in all weathers to help safeguard the
nest, eggs and chicks."
RSPB Regional Director, Andy Bunten, added: "The absence of Hen Harriers
from wide swathes of upland England is a national disgrace. It's high time
we reached a situation where we no longer have to guard harrier nests 24
hours a day, where harriers can nest in England without constant danger of
persecution, and members of the public can have opportunities to enjoy
watching these spectacular birds."
The RSPB and English Nature will be following the progress of the birds
closely now that they have left the nest, and hope that they will eventually
nest and rear young themselves. The chicks from the Geltsdale nest - 2 males
and 2 females - have been wing and radio tagged for identification purposes
and their movements will be tracked by the English Nature project team
during the next few months.
Illegal killing is the principal reason why Hen Harriers are absent from
almost all areas of suitable moorland habitat in the north of England and
they are one of the most persecuted birds in the UK.
Hen Harriers, along with all other birds of prey, are fully protected by UK
law and anyone disturbing, killing, injuring or taking birds, their nests or
eggs can face a fine of up to £5,000 for each incident or six months in
prison.
This spring, English Nature and the RSPB also expressed concern about the
future of England's Hen Harriers following the burning of heather moorland
around several known Hen Harrier sites.
David Hirst, RSPB
Friday 27 June 2003
English Nature launched its Hen Harrier recovery project in April 2002
following Hen Harrier numbers failing to perilously low levels in England.
The project will run for 3 years and aims to: monitor the Hen Harrier
population in England and its breeding success; identify the factors that
are currently restricting Hen Harrier numbers; take measures to increase the
Hen Harrier population in England.