07/06/2018
Hen
Harrier has bred in Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, for the first time
since 2015.
RSPB wardens discovered two Hen
Harrier nests on the United Utilities Bowland Estate in early spring and have
been monitoring them closely ever since. The nests were visited recently by the
wardens under licence, who were delighted to find four healthy chicks in each
of them. A single male harrier has fathered young at both nests and is now
regularly taking food to each.
The good news makes a welcome
change to the procession of reports of satellite-tagged Hen Harriers either
killed or disappearing in unexplained circumstances.
Hen Harrier remains on the verge
of extinction as a breeding bird in England owing to the continuous illegal
persecution of the species associated with driven grouse shooting. Although
experts estimate there is sufficient habitat for at least 300 pairs across
northern England, last year there were only three successful nests in the whole
country. Bowland used to be known as England's last remaining stronghold for
breeding Hen Harriers, but both 2016 and 2017 proved blank
years after just a single chick fledged in 2015.
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