No hen harriers

Probably because the RSPB may have a good idea of the problem just as most of us raptor watchers have but catching the culprits at it is another thing.Most of our birding is done in the Eastern side of the Yorkshire Dales and is one of England's top spots for crimes against raptors not a status many of us are proud of.It is big wild countryside out there and very few people to police it.

Hi Macaris,lots of us probably think the same as yourself but I get the impression the RSPB are working out the best way to tackle the problem so do not despair.

The RSPB have been publicising what has happened to the Hen Harriers in England, it was well-reported when the harriers were posted missing from Bowland earlier this year and if I remember rightly there are no known hen harrier nests in England at all this year.  But as has already been said, catching the people resposible is notoriously difficult and proving their guilt in court and getting a decent sentence is even more so.  

It's rather late to do anything other than despair.  Maybe RSPB are planning to capture 74843 (only bird still transmitting as far as I am aware) and clone her!  Or they could reintroduce birds from elsewhere as has been done successfully with Red Kite.  However, there is no point if they are all going to "disappear" , is there?  Surely there must be evidence to show where the birds were when they ceased transmitting.  Shouldn't the police be investigating?

I do not think a reintroduction programme would work as the birds would still get shot.No doubt the authorities are investigating but getting evidence is very difficult

A reintroduction cannot be done until the issues that have caused their decline have dealt with as no one will give them birds so they can be just shot, poisoned etc.  However, it is probable that should the issues that have pretty much wiped out hen harriers are dealt with they will re-colonise places such as the North of England from Scotland so a reintroduction would be a waste of money when the birds can recolonise themselves.  Better putting the funds to ensuring the issues that wiped out the original hen harriers are no longer an issue and the habitat remains for them to return to.

The police are responsible for investigating wildlife crime but even knowing where the last trasmission was doesn't help as unless the carcass is found and evidence is found to point to a particular individual responsible there is unlikely to be a conviction.  And simply finding a carcass can be difficult enough.  

The "issues" are not going away any time soon!  Can't expect any government action either since so much of the land around Bowland is owned by seriously wealthy people, including minor royals. So despair it is.

I understood some of the land in Bowland where the RSPB are operating is in the control of the  water company,United Utilities who are cooperating to solve the problem.The large grouse estates in our area are black holes for any raptor.If we report our Hen Harrier sightings to the Harrier Hotline on 0845 4600121 or henharriers@rspb.org.uk if may help to keep a tag on their movement.

KatTai is correct in that a reintroduction would not be considered until the causes of the decline have disappeared.   Some birds are still around but it would appear that they are not allowed to breed or be in certain areas.  If that situation changes then they should start to multiply naturally. If that situation doesn't change ???  The next generations would regard the absence of / population level of Hen Harrier as normal and the impetus for doing something starts to diminish.