Published: 17:58 Tuesday 01 August 2017 Updated: 09:21
Wednesday 02 August 2017
It is believed to be the most
intensively persecuted bird of prey in the UK, leaving it on the brink of
extinction as a breeding species in England, and so a first attempt by hen
harriers to nest in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been hailed as a
positive sign.
Despite their species’ struggles,
several hen harriers lingered in the Cumbrian part of the park this spring and
a male paired up with two females in a rare example of polygyny in the bird
kingdom but a practice common in hen harrier breeding populations. They
attempted to nest in the park, in what was the first such attempt by hen
harriers in the Dales for ten years. While neither nesting attempt was
successful, park chiefs spoke of their hopes for a more positive outlook for
the species. One failure happened early in the season, the other midway through
the incubation period. With no evidence of human interference, it is thought
that both attempts failed because of predation by foxes.
David Butterworth, chief executive
of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which joined colleagues from
Natural England in keeping watch over the birds, said: “The Authority is fully
aware of all the issues surrounding hen harriers in the uplands, so it was
really encouraging that the birds’ presence was welcomed by all stakeholders.
“We hope that the enlightened attitude towards the presence of these birds is
the start of a more positive outlook for this species, which will lead to the
hen harrier returning as a regular breeding species within the Yorkshire Dales
National Park.”
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