All summer, RSPB staff and volunteers have been braving cold nights, midges, blazing sunshine, and torrential rain to ensure round-the-clock protection of two of the only hen harrier nests in England this year. Working in close partnership with United Utilities and their shooting and farming tenants, Natural England, and the Forest of Bowland AONB, with additional support from both Lancashire County and Ribble Valley Borough Councils, this tremendous effort has seen the successful rearing and fledging of 11 young hen harriers - the first from Bowland since 2011, and the embodiment of our hopes for the future of this iconic species.
Most of the chicks are sticking very close to home as they learn to hunt and fend for themselves in these early days, so it's a great time to see them around the Forest of Bowland. What's more, thanks to satellite tags generously provided and fitted by Natural England, our team will be able to follow the chicks wherever they go and we'll be keeping this blog regularly updated with their exploits, allowing you to follow their journey as they spread their wings for the first time.
We hope to have satellite tracking maps to show you soon, but for now I'll leave you with some up-close and personal photos of our new harriers having their rings and tags fitted (carried out under licence with all due care taken to minimise disturbance of course).
You can already tell these are going to be a feisty bunch!
All photos are kindly provided by RSPB Overnight Protection staff, Chris Beever.
The adult male hen harrier swoops overhead.
Our second family of hen harrier chicks, newly ringed.
RSPB Bowland Project Officer, Jude Lane, holding one of the newly ringed chicks.
For more information on the Skydancer Project and RSPB's work on hen harriers, visit www.rspb.org.uk/skydancer or follow us on twitter @RSPB_Skydancer.
Fantastic to have some good news at last! Great work from everyone involved in the monitoring and protection. Next challenge is to keep the fledged chicks and their parents safe as they fly further afield. Really pleased to see the RSPB launching a nationwide campaign on this issue too.