Hen Harrier population rises in the North East
The rare bird of prey has consistently faced threats of illegal persecution from grouse moor owners
The RSPB says one of the UK’s rarest birds of prey, the Hen Harrier is experiencing a population increase in areas across the North East.
According to the Hen Harrier Survey, the North East is now home to around 50 pairs which is up from 4 when the review was last carried out in 2016.
The birds have been known to face threats of persecution and illegal killings from grouse moor management in the past.
Mike Shurmer is the head of species at RSPB, he said: “The birds have increased over the last couple of years, a lot of really positive work amongst a lot of organisations which has got us to where we need to be- if we can continue to work together to tackle that persecution with a bit more diligence the birds will go from strength to strength.”
The rise has been welcomed by national parks and bird organisations.
He added: “It’s good news because if you look at where we were around ten years ago or so, we were virtually down to no birds at all breeding in England, to get to where we are is absolutely good news and very welcome.
“I think there’s still more work to be done, we know they are still being killed in numbers and if we can get on top of that and deliver some better and more concerted action on ending that illegal persecution, I would very much hope that the birds would continue to increase.”
Male hen harriers can be identified through their pale grey colour whereas females and young ones are brown with a striped tail, they are sometimes known as ‘ringtails’
Nationally around 653 territorial pairs have been found.