Wildlife

Wild Hen Harrier: Illegal Persecution and Brood Management

Hen harrier populations are suppressed on English grouse moors by illegal persecution, with brood management schemes providing partial mitigation.

Key Facts

England has only around 50 breeding hen harrier pairs compared to habitat potential of 300+
Illegal destruction of nests and adults on managed grouse moors drives population suppression
DEFRA's brood management trial removes chicks from moors at high density to appease land managers
RSPB and conservation groups criticise brood management as rewarding persecution without addressing its cause

Welfare Considerations

Adult hen harriers killed by persecution suffer acute death. Chicks whose nests are destroyed die from exposure or predation. Brood management may save individual chicks but does not address the illegal persecution causing population suppression. Stronger enforcement and licensing of grouse shooting are the welfare-superior approaches.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB Investigations reporting of hen harrier persecution
Donate to Hen Harrier LIFE project protecting nesting pairs in England
Advocate for driven grouse moor licensing with wildlife crime compliance conditions