Four tracked rare birds of prey suspected illegally killed

FOUR rare birds of prey tracked through their satellite tags are believed to have been illegally killed In the North East in 2025.

- TONY HENDERSON @Hendrover

A hen harrier chick with satellite tag

(RSPB)

They are among six endangered hen harriers lost after their tags sent final transmissions on or near land used for grouse shooting in northern England, says the RSPB.

Three of the six sat-tagged birds which disappeared in 2025 sent their final transmissions in September - just weeks after fledging their nests and within 13 days of each other.

The RSPB says that recent scientific research has shown that human persecution has reduced the lifespan of the species, with young birds surviving on average for only four months after leaving the nest.

One especially poignant loss was that of Wadrew, one of three chicks which successfully fledged from the RSPB Geltsdale reserve on the Northumberland-Cumbria border and which staff and volunteers had helped to survive.

The chicks were raised with human assistance after the male hen harrier feeding the youngsters disappeared.

The loss of the male provider during the breeding season can often result in the female abandoning the nest or reduce the number of chicks which survive.

So, after the Geltsdale male vanished while foraging off the reserve and was suspected to have been illegally killed, a team stepped in to provide emergency supplementary food under licence.