Last week saw the release of Natural England’s Hen Harrier Breeding Figures, with 34 successful nests and 119 chicks, 2022 has proved to be a record year for this iconic bird. That success was reflected in the Forest of Bowland, where RSPB staff and volunteers recorded 14 nesting attempts of 13 breeding females (including one replacement clutch) on the United Utilities Bowland Estate. 11 nests were successful and fledged a total of 39 young. It is the first time in over 10 years that the Bowland Fells Special Protection Area (SPA) has reached the minimum number of breeding pairs that the SPA was designated for.
Sonja Ludwig, RSPB Species and Habitats Officer working in the Forest of Bowland reflects of this year's figures.
(Image Credit: Lee O’Dwyer)
Hen harriers are one of the UK’s most threatened species and a rare breeding bird in England. Known for the ghostly appearance of the males and their amazing skydancing displays, these iconic upland birds nest on moorland habitats, like those found in the Bowland Fells.
For many years Bowland has been an stronghold for breeding hen harriers in England, and since 1982, the RSPB has been working in close partnership with United Utilities and their shooting and farming tenants to monitor and protect these magnificent birds on the United Utilities Bowland Estate.
This year, RSPB staff and volunteers discovered 14 nesting attempts of 13 females on the United Utilities Bowland Estate, including one replacement clutch, a huge increase from just five years ago when no nests were recorded. One female sadly died of an unknown natural cause at the onset of laying, and two nests failed as the eggs were predated. However, one of the females built a new nest and made a successful second breeding attempt. This means that 11 nests were successful and fledged a total of 39 young. Given that four males were polygamous and had to catch enough prey to provision two females and their broods, this is an amazing success rate, especially as vole numbers appeared to be very low at the start of the season.
Together with three additional females that nested successfully on private estates in Bowland (nests recorded and data provided by Natural England), this is the highest number of successful hen harrier nests in the Forest of Bowland for more than three decades. With 16 nesting attempts by 15 females located within the Bowland Fells Special Protection Area (SPA), it is also the first time in over 10 years that the SPA has reached the minimum number of breeding pairs that it was designated for (i.e., 12 pairs).
Whilst these numbers are very encouraging and a great success for everybody involved in the Forest of Bowland, the recovery of hen harriers in England still has a long way to go. It has been estimated that the available habitat in the English uplands is capable of supporting over 300 breeding harrier pairs, however illegal persecution, changes in land use and habitat loss may continue to put their recovery at risk.
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