Hen Harrier Welfare: Grouse Moor Persecution in the UK

Hen harriers are one of England's most persecuted birds of prey, with ongoing illegal killing on driven grouse moors preventing population recovery.

Key Facts

England should support over 300 hen harrier pairs based on available habitat
Fewer than 10 breeding pairs successfully raised chicks in England in some recent years
Satellite-tagged harriers regularly disappear over managed grouse moors suggesting illegal killing
Brood management trials attempt to manage conflict with grouse shooting interests
Scotland and Wales have more stable populations where persecution pressure is lower

Welfare Considerations

Hen harriers are killed through shooting, trapping, and poisoning on driven grouse moors. Birds killed by poison suffer agonising deaths over hours from organochlorine compounds or rodenticides. Trapped birds suffer broken limbs and slow death. Satellite-tagged individuals that disappear over grouse moors most likely face these fates. The suppression of the English population to near-zero breeding represents decades of accumulated welfare harm and represents one of the UK's most serious wildlife crime problems.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB raptor persecution investigations and advocacy
Advocate for vicarious liability laws holding land owners responsible for persecution on their land
Report suspected raptor persecution to police and the RSPB immediately
Support Hen Harrier Life and conservation breeding programmes
Engage with campaigns for driven grouse moor reform and licensing