Record number of hen harriers killed or missing, RSPB warns

RECORD numbers of hen harriers have been killed or gone missing under suspicious circumstances in the last five years, according to the RSPB.

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The protected bird species is one of the rarest in the UK, known for their acrobatic “skydancing” courtship display over the uplands, such as Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales.

Categorised as red-listed in terms of conservation concern, they are considered to be at high risk of extinction because of low breeding population levels following historic declines as a result of human persecution.

Between 2020 and 2024, there were 102 incidents of killing or missing birds recorded, according to a report from the RSPB released on Thursday.

The majority of these incidents occurred on or near grouse moors in northern England, where grouse shooting takes place, it said.