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Rarities & Conservation: Hen Harrier Persecution at Record Levels, Says RSPB Report​

26 June 2025
By James Hamilton
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Hen Harrier brood. Credit: RSPB Investigations

The Hen Harrier, one of the rarest birds of prey in the United Kingdom, has experienced unprecedented levels of illegal killing and suspicious disappearances over the past five years, according to a new report from the RSPB.

Titled Hen Harriers in the Firing Line, the report documents 102 confirmed or suspected incidents. Most of these took place in areas associated with grouse shooting. Hen Harriers nest and breed in the uplands of Britain, which brings them into direct conflict with land managed for driven grouse shooting.

These striking birds are best known for their graceful and acrobatic ‘skydancing’ courtship displays. Despite being a protected species, they are on the UK red list due to very low breeding numbers following a long history of persecution by humans.
Even though several conservation initiatives have been introduced over the past twenty-five years, the Hen Harrier remains the most persecuted bird of prey in the UK relative to its population size.

Between 2016 and 2023, the UK Hen Harrier population increased slightly. However, the year 2023 saw the highest level of persecution on record. Hen Harriers continue to be far less common and widespread than they should be. The current population is estimated to be only one quarter of what their available habitat could support. In England, this figure drops to just ten percent.

Although the species is legally protected, repeated studies and official reports have confirmed that illegal activity is the main factor limiting their recovery. This persecution reduces nesting success, annual productivity, and the survival rate of breeding adults. Despite decades of this activity, no one has ever been convicted of such a crime in England. Most offences occur in remote areas, making them difficult to detect and even harder to prosecute due to the high burden of criminal proof.

Dr James Robinson, Director of Operations at the RSPB, stated:
“The last five years have seen a record number of illegally killed or missing Hen Harriers. We recorded 102 suspected or confirmed cases, the majority occurring on or near grouse moors. This species cannot recover until these crimes stop. To achieve this, we need regulation of the grouse shooting industry. Specifically, we are calling for a licensing system in England. Any estate found by the Police or Natural England to be connected with raptor persecution should lose its licence to operate.”

A recent scientific study investigating the illegal killing of Hen Harriers in relation to gamebird management found that their survival rates are extremely low. On average, young Hen Harriers survive only 121 days after leaving the nest. Persecution was found to be the cause of between 27 and 41 percent of deaths among birds under one year old, and up to 75 percent of deaths in birds aged between one and two years. The research also showed a strong link between these deaths and the presence of grouse moors.

The report contains deeply disturbing accounts. These include birds being shot, chicks stamped to death in their nests, and in one case, a live bird having its head pulled off. Between 2010 and 2024, 112 satellite-tagged Hen Harriers disappeared in areas associated with grouse shooting. These findings have led the RSPB to once again call on the government to introduce regulation and licensing of grouse moors, following the example set in Scotland.

In March 2024, the Scottish Parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act. This legislation requires all grouse shoots in Scotland to be licensed. If there is evidence that a wildlife crime has taken place, the licence can be revoked. The system is based on a civil burden of proof, which makes it easier to take enforcement action when needed. This progressive law aims to ensure legal and sustainable land management and provides a much-needed deterrent for those who kill birds of prey for financial reasons. However, England has yet to adopt similar measures.

The publication of this report comes just before a parliamentary debate scheduled for Monday 30 June at Westminster Hall. The debate, focused on the future of grouse shooting, was triggered by a petition launched by the campaign group Wild Justice. More than 100,000 people signed the petition calling for a ban on driven grouse shooting. Like the RSPB, they seek an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey and other damaging practices linked to the grouse shooting industry.
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Meaningful action by the UK Government is urgently needed. Without it, the future of England’s Hen Harriers remains in serious jeopardy.
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