Appeal over future of hen harrier (From The Northern Echo)

Appeal over future of hen harrier

6:32pm Wednesday 9th April 2008 in News By Chris Brayshay

AN APPEAL is being made to people across the North-East to help save Britain's most persecuted bird of prey.

Rural workers, walkers and visitors to the region's moors are being urged to report sightings of hen harriers, using a special telephone hotline set up by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), in the region.

England's moorland should have around 200 pairs of nesting hen harriers, but in 2007 there were only 15 successful nests, with the majority of these in one area of Lancashire.

Illegal killing or deliberate disturbance is believed to be the main reason that hen harriers are absent from almost all areas of suitable heather moorland in northern England, home to jealously protected grouse shoots and estates.

Reports of sightings should include the date and location of sighting, with a six-figure grid reference where possible.

Smaller than a buzzard but larger than a crow, the harrier flies low over the ground, it's wings held in a shallow V-shape, while it looks for its favourite prey - meadow pipits and field voles.

"By reporting their sightings to us, anyone who spots a harrier will be contributing vital information that will help us to protect these rare birds."

Peter Robertson, RSPB Northern England conservation manager

The male has silver-grey upper parts, white under parts, white rump, black wing-tips. Female is larger, dark brown with light under parts, grey-brown tail with darker bands and obvious white band at the base of the tail. Under parts are buffish-white, heavily streaked with brown.

Peter Robertson, RSPB Northern England conservation manager, said: "It's great to enjoy watching and listening to birds such as curlews and skylarks while you're outdoors, but this year we are particularly asking walkers to keep an eye open for hen harriers.

"By reporting their sightings to us, anyone who spots a harrier will be contributing vital information that will help us to protect these rare birds."

A pocket-sized card with hen harrier id info and a handy reminder of the Hotline number is available from the RSPB on 0845 4600121 or by e-mailing henharriers@rspb.org.uk.

* The Harrier Hotline number is 0845 4600121 (calls charged at local rate). Reports can also be e-mailed to henharriers@rspb.org.uk. Reports of sightings should include the date and location of sighting, with a six-figure grid reference where possible.