A NATURE conservation charity is calling on people who spend time in the North's uplands to keep an eye out for one of England's rarest birds of prey.

The RSPB has relaunched its Hen Harrier Hotline with the aim of finding out where these birds might be breeding.

At this time of year, the male hen harrier performs a spectacular courtship ritual of swoops known as skydancing and if he attracts a female he then proves his worth by passing her food offerings mid-flight.

Scientists estimate there is enough suitable habitat in the English uplands to provide a home to at least 320 pairs of breeding hen harriers but last year there were only six successful nests in the whole country, two in Northumberland.

The species is threatened largely due to illegal persecution, sometimes because they are considered a pest on moors managed for grouse shooting, so earlier this year the Government and landowners committed to protect the species with the publication of the Hen Harrier Action Plan.

Amanda Miller, conservation manager for the RSPB in Northern England, said: “The past few years have been disastrous for England’s hen harriers.

"We sincerely hope that the new Action Plan will ensure that this season marks a turning point and that we see more of these beautiful birds nesting successfully in the uplands of North East England and beyond.

“I would urge anyone who sees one to report it the Hen Harrier Hotline."

With EU funding, the charity has dedicated staff and volunteers ready to protect nests but it needs to know where they are.

Males are an ash-grey colour with black wing tips and a wingspan of just less than a metre and females are slightly larger with mottled brown plumage, horizontal stripes on their tails and a patch of white just above on the rump.

The Harrier Hotline number is 0845-4600121 or reports can be emailed to henharriers@rspb.org.uk.