In a remarkable display of nature’s resilience and the dedication of conservationists, England celebrates another record year for hen harriers, with 141 chicks successfully fledging, according to statistics released by Natural England. This marks the seventh consecutive year of growth in hen harrier numbers, reaffirming their status as an iconic symbol of conservation and nature recovery.
Hen harriers, rare and graceful birds of prey with a wingspan exceeding one meter, have captivated the hearts of conservationists and bird enthusiasts alike. Each spring, they enchant onlookers with their breathtaking ‘sky dancing’ courtship displays and remarkable mid-air food transfers.
The substantial increase in successfully fledged hen harrier chicks in 2023 follows last year’s record of 119 chicks recorded in nests across County Durham, Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, and Yorkshire. This positive trend has led to a milestone: there are now more hen harriers in England than there have been for approximately two centuries.
Hen harriers had been driven to extinction on mainland Britain during the 19th century due to illegal persecution and disturbance, only beginning to recolonise in the 1960s. Just a decade ago, successful hen harrier nesting in England seemed almost impossible.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing recovery, saying, “The continuing year on year increase in the number of hen harriers fledging from English nests is fantastic to see, and shows how through partnership work it is possible to reverse Nature’s decline, even in the most challenging of circumstances.”
However, this positive news is tempered by the persistence of illegal persecution. Mr. Juniper emphasised the need for continued efforts, stating, “Today’s news is, however, overshadowed by continuing illegal persecution, which despite all the good practice among many landowners still stubbornly persists. We know that much more needs to be done to protect these precious birds and remain absolutely committed to working with our partners to stamp out the despicable killing of these wonderful creatures that bring so much joy to so many people.”
In 2023, 54 nests were recorded, up from 49 the previous year, with 36 of them being successful, resulting in an average of 3.9 chicks per successful nest. Notably, Northumberland saw the highest number of nesting attempts, with 17 in total, a substantial increase from the 9 nests recorded the previous year. The Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale area also continued to be a stronghold, with 15 nests recorded.
Of the fledglings recorded this year, 24 were brood-managed chicks. These chicks were taken from six nests on grouse moors and reared in captivity before being released. This brood management program aims to reduce conflict with game shooting and mitigate persecution, ultimately aiding population recovery. Natural England is committed to conducting a comprehensive scientific investigation of this technique.
Despite these advances, illegal bird of prey killings remain a grave and ongoing concern. Natural England is actively collaborating with the police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to address this issue.
Natural England’s commitment to protecting and supporting hen harriers is evident through the Hen Harrier Action Plan, which encompasses various initiatives such as the reintroduction of hen harriers to southern England, diversionary feeding licenses, and improved satellite tracking.
