PEOPLE across the region are being urged to keep an eye out for one of England’s most threatened birds of prey.

The RSPB has launched a special hotline for people to report sightings of the endangered hen harrier.

The charity uplands of Northern England should have at least 320 pairs of breeding hen harriers but last year not a single chick was raised in the whole of England.

Amanda Miller, Conservation Manager for the RSPB in Northern England, said: “This lack of breeding success is not through lack of effort.

“The male is famous for his spectacular courtship display known as skydancing in which he tries to attract a female with a series of high altitude swoops and somersaults.

“It’s like watching nature’s equivalent of the Red Arrows.”

Ms Miller said the main reason for their low numbers is due to illegal persecution by shooters who kill the predators to stop them getting the grouse.

Ms Miller said: “As hen harriers tend to breed in remote moorland areas, we rely on walkers, cyclists, and other people who spend their free time in the uplands to help our on-the-ground team by letting us know if they see one.”

Male hen harriers are an ash-grey colour with black wing tips and a wingspan of just less than a metre.

Female hen harriers are slightly larger, owl-like in appearance, and have a mottled brown plumage which camouflages them when they nest on the ground.

Sightings can be reported to the Harrier hotline on 0845-4600121.