Hen harriers 'close to being wiped out'
Image - www.larne.gov.uk
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has warned that hen harriers are "close to being wiped out" in light of the fact that only one breeding pair have displayed signs of nesting this year. If this were the case, it would constitute the worst breeding season since their reintroduction in the 1960s following an earlier extinction in the 19th Century.
The charity has also alleged that the species is suffering from illegal persecution from gamekeepers of shooting estates on the grounds that the species is a predator of game birds such as grouse. A report commissioned by the Government had previously concluded that the English uplands were able to support in excess of 300 pairs of hen harriers but illegal persecution was preventing this.
Commenting, RSPB Conservation Director Martin Harper said "The hen harrier is noted for its wonderful roller coaster display flight, but this bird's population in England is also on an extreme roller coaster ride itself. After recolonising England, the bird is now perilously close to being wiped out in England again as a result of decades of persecution. The problem of illegal killing is well understood - we now need government to bring solutions to the table."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
