Wildlife

Hen Harrier Brood Management and Grouse Moor Conflict

Hen harriers remain critically endangered as a UK breeding bird, with ongoing illegal persecution on grouse moors threatening their recovery.

Key Facts

Hen harrier productivity on grouse moors is severely suppressed by illegal killing
A brood management scheme trials translocation of surplus chicks to reduce gamekeeper conflict
Satellite tagging has documented dozens of tagged harriers disappearing on managed moorland
Without persecution, models suggest the Uplands could support over 300 hen harrier pairs

Welfare Considerations

Illegal killing causes sudden traumatic death and removes breeding adults from the population. Brood management involves significant welfare trade-offs for translocated chicks. The primary welfare goal should be ending persecution.

What You Can Do

Support the RSPB Hen Harrier Life project and related advocacy
Report suspected hen harrier persecution incidents to the police and RSPB
Engage with debates around grouse shooting and wildlife law enforcement