Numbers of hen harrier on the increase but more work needed

Results from the 2023 Hen Harrier survey have been released, and they show how populations of hen harriers are faring throughout the UK and Isle of Man.

But it is a mixed picture across the UK, with some populations doing better than in previous years.

However, numbers are still far below where they should be.

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Mike Shurmer, head of species for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) England, said: “England has seen a significant increase in breeding Hen Harriers since the last survey, which is very welcome news, but the starting point was shockingly low, and well below where we would expect healthy populations of these birds to be given the habitat available to them.

“The reasons for hen harriers continuing to be far below their potential population are complex, but one of the primary causes is that continued illegal killing, typically associated with intensive grouse moor management, is stifling their full recovery.

A lone female Hen Harrier stood in a tree looking out to the horizon (Image: RSPB)“The work we and others have been doing to restore these populations is incredibly important, and we need to make sure it continues and that we step up our efforts to tackle the illegal killing of birds of prey.”

The results for England give cause for optimism. The English population is estimated to be 54 territorial pairs, up from four pairs, a huge 1,150 per cent increase, since the last survey in 2016, according to data collected by Natural England.

But the 2023 figures are encouraging England’s hen harrier population is currently only 15 per cent of what it is believed that the suitable available habitat can support.

A lone female Hen Harrier stood in a tree looking out to the horizon (Image: RSPB)Hen harriers also remain absent from large parts of England’s uplands, with no breeding pairs recorded in areas such as the Peak District and North York Moors in 2023, despite both of having abundant areas of their ideal habitat.

As reported by Natural England in 2024, disappearances and persecution of hen harriers continue to hamper the species recovery in England.

The increase in hen harriers in England follows the launch of the Hen Harrier Action Plan by Defra, which aims to recover the birds in England and change attitudes towards Hen Harriers to reduce the numbers being illegally killed.

Combined Natural England and RSPB data shows a shocking 32 satellite-tagged hen harriers vanished or were confirmed as being illegally killed in England in 2023.

The Scottish government recently passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill which will introduce licensing for grouse shooting in Scotland, alongside measures to protect the habitats Hen Harriers need to thrive.

RSPB England hopes similar legislation can be introduced in England, and lead to a full recovery for hen harrier populations in the English uplands.

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