The hen harrier remains one of the UK most illegally persecuted birds, with breeding populations far below their ecological potential due to conflicts with grouse moor management.
Hen harrier welfare is fundamentally compromised by systematic illegal persecution. Birds are shot, trapped, and poisoned on grouse moors where they are seen as threats to red grouse stocks. Every disappearing satellite tag over a managed moor represents a probable illegal killing. The ecological and welfare case for action is overwhelming.