Hen harriers are virtually absent as breeding birds in England despite suitable habitat, due to the most severe illegal persecution of any raptor in Britain.
Hen harrier persecution in England causes individual welfare harm — birds are killed by trapping, shooting and nest destruction — and population-level welfare harm through effective local elimination. The welfare of breeding adults and their chicks is at constant risk during the nesting season on or near managed grouse moors. Brood management (temporary removal of chicks to reduce immediate pressure on grouse) is a contested intervention that adds handling stress to chicks but may reduce adult persecution risk. Criminal prosecution of persecution incidents is the primary welfare and legal remedy.