Hen Harrier Persecution and Upland Conservation Crisis

The hen harrier is England most persecuted bird of prey, driven to functional extinction as an English breeding species by illegal killing on grouse moors, making its welfare the most acute raptor conservation crisis in Britain.

Key Facts

England should support around 330 breeding hen harrier pairs based on available habitat; fewer than 10 pairs now breed
Satellite tracking has repeatedly documented hen harriers disappearing in suspicious circumstances over grouse moors
Hen harriers are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act but persecution continues with few convictions
A brood management scheme allows nest relocation to reduce conflicts on grouse moors
The species breeds successfully in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland where persecution pressure is lower

Welfare Considerations

Hen harrier welfare is catastrophically compromised by illegal killing that has virtually eliminated the English breeding population. Individual birds tracked by satellite have disappeared over grouse moors, their fates unknown. Surviving birds face chronic stress in landscapes where humans pose a persistent threat. The systematic and ongoing nature of persecution despite full legal protection represents one of the most serious wildlife crime situations in British conservation history.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB Hen Harrier Life Project and satellite tracking programs
Report any suspicious activity near hen harrier nesting sites immediately to police and RSPB
Advocate for driven grouse shooting licensing that mandates zero tolerance for raptor persecution
Engage with the political debate about grouse moor management reform
Boycott grouse products if you object to the persecution occurring on driven grouse moors