A special hotline has opened so that walkers, cyclists and anyone else who spends time in the uplands of Northern England can report sightings of one of the country’s rarest birds, the hen harrier.
The 2010 appeal for hen harrier sightings has been launched in a bid to find out more about these birds in Northern England. Hen harriers are one of the UK’s most awe-inspiring birds of prey, but also one of the most enigmatic. The male harrier performs a magnificent aerobatic display or ‘sky dance’ in spring and provides food to the female in spectacular food passes.
This is the third consecutive year the RSPB has operated the Hen Harrier Hotline. The conservation organisation is particularly keen for people to keep their eyes peeled this spring as it is carrying out, in partnership with Natural England, a national survey of harrier numbers.
It is estimated that the heather moors of England should have around 200 pairs of nesting hen harriers, but in 2009 there were only six successful nests, with the majority of these in one area of Lancashire. Illegal killing or deliberate disturbance is the main reason that hen harriers are absent from almost all areas of suitable moorland in Northern England.
Peter Robertson, the RSPB’s Conservation Manager for Northern England said: "I hope that anyone lucky enough to spot one of these glorious birds in Northern England will take the time to give us a call. Reports of hen harriers received via the Hotline in previous years have contributed vital information that have helped us monitor and protect these rare birds."
Harriers are smaller than a buzzard and larger than a crow. They have long wings and long tails. They are usually seen flying low over the ground. Male and female harriers have strikingly different plumage. The male has silver-grey upperparts, while the larger female is dark brown.
The Harrier Hotline number is 0845 4600121 (calls charged at local rate). Reports can also be e-mailed to henharriers@rspb.org.uk. Reports of sightings should include the date and location of sighting, with a six-figure grid reference where possible.
In February, the RSPB handed in a petition to Wildlife Minister Huw Irranca Davies demanding an end to the illegal persecution of birds of prey. Signed by over 200,000 people, it was the largest petition ever collected by the RSPB.
Story from RSPB