Many people talk about the hen harrier problem - but we are often talking at cross-purposes.
As far as we can tell, in England, there were only six successful hen harrier nests in 2009 - so we regard the hen harrier problem as being the lack of these birds. To hear some people talk, hen harriers are everywhere, overrunning the countryside and gobbling their way through red grouse and wildlife like nobody's business. Those half a dozen English pairs must get around rather a lot!
This summer one of those six pairs nested in a cereal field in southern England - not in the more usual moorland location. The RSPB was involved with Natural England in protecting this nest - we worked with the farmer concerned and the police. Just in case the birds return next spring I won't say any more about this pair except to celebrate its existence and to thank all who played a part in its protection.
John Swift, Chief Executive of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, said: “A bad winter has left the hen harrier population even more vulnerable than before – this means that everybody must concentrate on doing what they can to ensure that the moorland habitat continues to be well managed and that persecution is confined to history.". Well said John - we await others to speak out in the same vein.
And, one more time, as we edge our way ever closer to the 200,000 signatures on our bird of prey pledge - please sign it!
Sooty - it is sad that we feel we have to put so much effort into protecting individual harrier nests from illegal persecution. But thanks for praising John Swift - the good guys need to be recognised and lauded.
Debby - moving comments - thank you.