The harriers are already the proud parents of three fluffy chicks.

The centre is currently the only place in England where the public will get the exciting opportunity to watch unedited footage of hen harriers and their chicks at the nest. A hidden camera has been set up to capture all the action, so nothing will be missed.

Volunteers and staff from the Lancashire Countryside Service will be on hand to talk to visitors who have come along to enjoy this rare spectacle.

You won't miss a thing

Nick Osborne, from Lancashire Countryside Services said; ' This is so exciting, especially as hen harriers are so rare. Everyone is really enthusiastic about sharing this experience. It is fascinating to watch what is going on at the nest and I find it incredibly addictive. You just can't take your eyes off the big screen in case you miss something.'

The pair of hen harriers on camera is part of a very small population in England. Last year only 14 pairs of hen harriers nested successfully in England, 10 of which were in the Forest of Bowland, making this area currently the most important site for hen harriers in England.

Although hen harriers are protected by law, they are still illegally killed in some parts of England.

You just can't take your eyes off the big screen in case you miss something.

A successful partnership.

Pete Wilson, the RSPB's Bowland Officer said; 'The hen harriers in Bowland are an excellent example of conservation organisations, landowners and gamekeepers working together to ensure hen harriers have a future.

'We want to see this successful partnership replicated elsewhere and are actively asking other landowners and land managers to help us increase the number of hen harriers in England to 40 breeding pairs by 2010.'

Ian Grindy, United Utilities Bowland estate manager, added: 'As the major landowner in this part of Bowland, United Utilities takes its conservation responsibilities very seriously. We've worked with the RSPB for many years and it is hugely rewarding to see such tangible evidence of the hen harrier success story.'

The government has announced that hen harriers are 'England's most seriously threatened bird of prey' highlighting just how rare and vulnerable they are. As a result, they are now included on the government's list of species considered of principal importance for conserving England's wildlife.
 
Continuous footage of the hen harriers on camera can be viewed seven days a week at the Bowland Visitor Centre on Beacon Fell Country Park near Preston. Viewing is possible from 10 am-5 pm every day. The Bowland café is open for drinks and light snacks. You can also find out the latest from the nest on the hen harrier blog.

Article sourced from the RSPB website and can be found here.