RSPB offers huge reward for information on missing Hen Harriers
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The RSPB has offered a £10,000 reward for information on the three breeding male Hen Harriers that disappeared in Lancashire in suspicious circumstances.
Lancashire Police and the RSPB are appealing for any information that could reveal the fate of these rare upland birds of prey. The RSPB has also put up a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to a conviction.
The first of the birds disappeared from its nest three weeks ago from the United Utilities Bowland Estate and a further two males on active nests have not been seen form more than two weeks. In the case of the first nest, a young male arrived almost immediately and took the place of the vanished bird, thereby securing the safety of the eggs. However, the other two nests were not so fortunate – in the absence of males to provide them with food, the females were forced to abandon their eggs resulting in the failure of both nests.
Hen Harriers is England’s most threatened breeding bird of prey with just four successful nests in the whole country last year, two of which were on the United Utilities Bowland Estate. With the number of breeding birds so low, the failure of the two nests will have a serious impact on the species' future in England. The disappearance of the birds leaves just one active nest remaining in the Bowland Estate, putting the future of Hen Harrier in further jeopardy.
The United Utilities Bowland Estate has long been the last remaining stronghold of English Hen Harriers. The RSPB has been working on the estate for over 35 years and has developed a strong partnership with United Utilities, together with the support of its shooting and farming tenants. RSPB and United Utilities staff and volunteers, who have been monitoring the nests on the estate, are extremely concerned and upset by the sadly expected disappearance of the birds. Lancashire Police are investigating the matter.
In most circumstances, it is very unusual for male Hen Harriers to abandon an active nest. A 2008 government-commissioned report found that it almost never happened in most places. However, the report also revealed that nearly seven out of 10 of the nesting attempts which failed on grouse moors, did so following the disappearance of an adult.
Nesting males are not only the Hen Harriers that have gone missing in the Bowland area in recent times. Last September, two satellite-tagged juveniles ceased transmitting only weeks after fledging from nests on the United Utilities Bowland Estate.
Over the next five years, as part of an EU LIFE+ funded project, the RSPB is satellite tagging as many Hen Harrier chicks as possible. This will enable the organisation to follow the birds wherever they go and monitor what happens to them, as well as identify the blackspots where they’re most at risk.
Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: “Hen Harriers are hanging on by a thread in England and the disappearances of the past few weeks have made a desperate situation even worse. We don’t know what has happened to these three birds, but we will find out and we will save our Hen Harriers. This is an awful setback, but it will not stop us. Over the last few days I’ve spoken to numerous staff and volunteers who are devastated by what has happened. But these events only strengthen our resolve to save this beautiful bird.”
Lorraine Ellwood, Lancashire Police Rural Policing and Wildlife Co-ordinator, said: “We are working very closely with the RSPB, United Utilities and the private estates within Lancashire and were hopeful for a successful breeding season. We are all disappointed with what has happened, but will continue to work together despite this set back. ”
Anyone with information about either of the birds should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or, alternatively, call the RSPB’s confidential hotline on 0845 466 3636.
Lancashire Police and the RSPB are appealing for any information that could reveal the fate of these rare upland birds of prey. The RSPB has also put up a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to a conviction.
The first of the birds disappeared from its nest three weeks ago from the United Utilities Bowland Estate and a further two males on active nests have not been seen form more than two weeks. In the case of the first nest, a young male arrived almost immediately and took the place of the vanished bird, thereby securing the safety of the eggs. However, the other two nests were not so fortunate – in the absence of males to provide them with food, the females were forced to abandon their eggs resulting in the failure of both nests.
Hen Harriers is England’s most threatened breeding bird of prey with just four successful nests in the whole country last year, two of which were on the United Utilities Bowland Estate. With the number of breeding birds so low, the failure of the two nests will have a serious impact on the species' future in England. The disappearance of the birds leaves just one active nest remaining in the Bowland Estate, putting the future of Hen Harrier in further jeopardy.
The United Utilities Bowland Estate has long been the last remaining stronghold of English Hen Harriers. The RSPB has been working on the estate for over 35 years and has developed a strong partnership with United Utilities, together with the support of its shooting and farming tenants. RSPB and United Utilities staff and volunteers, who have been monitoring the nests on the estate, are extremely concerned and upset by the sadly expected disappearance of the birds. Lancashire Police are investigating the matter.
In most circumstances, it is very unusual for male Hen Harriers to abandon an active nest. A 2008 government-commissioned report found that it almost never happened in most places. However, the report also revealed that nearly seven out of 10 of the nesting attempts which failed on grouse moors, did so following the disappearance of an adult.
Nesting males are not only the Hen Harriers that have gone missing in the Bowland area in recent times. Last September, two satellite-tagged juveniles ceased transmitting only weeks after fledging from nests on the United Utilities Bowland Estate.
Over the next five years, as part of an EU LIFE+ funded project, the RSPB is satellite tagging as many Hen Harrier chicks as possible. This will enable the organisation to follow the birds wherever they go and monitor what happens to them, as well as identify the blackspots where they’re most at risk.
Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: “Hen Harriers are hanging on by a thread in England and the disappearances of the past few weeks have made a desperate situation even worse. We don’t know what has happened to these three birds, but we will find out and we will save our Hen Harriers. This is an awful setback, but it will not stop us. Over the last few days I’ve spoken to numerous staff and volunteers who are devastated by what has happened. But these events only strengthen our resolve to save this beautiful bird.”
Lorraine Ellwood, Lancashire Police Rural Policing and Wildlife Co-ordinator, said: “We are working very closely with the RSPB, United Utilities and the private estates within Lancashire and were hopeful for a successful breeding season. We are all disappointed with what has happened, but will continue to work together despite this set back. ”
Anyone with information about either of the birds should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or, alternatively, call the RSPB’s confidential hotline on 0845 466 3636.