How you can help save Lancashire's rarest bird

MIKE HILL

Published: 11:27Monday 01 April 2019

The RSPB is calling on people who spend time in the remote hills and moorlands of Lancashire to look out for England’s most threatened bird of prey.

The nature conservation charity has relaunched a hotline with the aim of finding out where hen harriers might be nesting in the county.

In spring, the male hen harrier performs his courtship display known as skydancing, involving a spectacular series of swoops and somersaults. If he attracts a female, he attempts to further impress her by passing food offerings in mid-air.

Experts estimate there is enough suitable habitat in England for around 300 pairs of breeding hen harriers. But last year there were only nine successful nests in the whole country, three of which were in Lancashire.

Hen harriers are teetering on the verge of extinction in England because of ongoing illegal killing. As they sometimes eat red grouse, they are often unwelcome on moors managed for driven grouse shooting.

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RSPB opens hotline for sightings of rare Montagu’s harriers

All eyes out for the rare Montagu's harrier

Farmers and birdwatchers are being urged to keep a lookout for Montagu’s harriers – the rarest breeding bird of prey in the UK, which nests almost entirely on arable farmland.

Just six pairs of Montagu’s harriers bred in 2013 and the RSPB says it is essential that the small number of breeding attempts made this year are identified and protected from accidental damage or disturbance.

Montagu’s harriers spend the winter in Africa and return to Europe in the spring to nest. On their journey, they face extreme weather, an increasing area of desert and the threat of illegal hunting. Those fortunate enough to complete their journey nest in lowland crops, particularly winter cereals, oilseed rape and grass silage, usually in the south-west and east of England.

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RARE BIRD SPECIES: Hotline to report Derbyshire sightings of rare hen harriers

By Derby Telegraph | Posted: April 03, 2014

A HOTLINE has been opened so walkers, cyclists and bird watchers in Derbyshire can report sightings of one of the country's rarest species.

The RSPB has relaunched the number in a bid to find out more about the hen harrier in central and northern England.

The charity says the birds are among the most enigmatic in the UK, with males performing aerobatic "sky dances" in spring.

A spokesman for the RSPB said: "I hope that anyone lucky enough to spot one of these birds in Derbyshire will take the time to call us.

"Reports of hen harriers via the hotline in previous years have contributed vital information to help monitor and protect these rare birds."

The harrier hotline is 0845 4600 121 and sightings can also be reported by e-mail at hen harriers@rspb.org.uk, including the date and location of the sighting with a six-figure grid reference if possible.

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Hotline-report-Derbyshire-sightings-rare-hen/story-20904614-detail/story.html#ixzz2yDKOSxGG