Hen Harrier Day 2018

Those of you who have been following our website over the years may recall my support of the campaign to ban driven grouse shooting and stop the persecution of Hen Harriers, Birds of Prey and other wildlife species on moorland in the North of England and Scotland.

2018 is the fifth anniversary of the first Hen Harrier Day when I travelled to my home County of Derbyshire where I joined the now infamous “sodden 570” gathered in the Peak District.   This year I met up with Hazel and Steve representing Gravesend Group at Rainham Marshes.

Each year an increasing number of events are held, bringing more people together to celebrate the Hen Harrier and its plight, and to also highlight the (mis-)management of our wild areas and the impact it will have on all of us in the future.   Many birds of prey are still being illegally killed, along with any other wild creature that could prey on grouse.   This includes corvids, foxes, badgers, weasels, stoats, even hares are shot as they have the ability to carry ticks which might carry diseases which could transfer to the grouse.   Indiscriminate killing of these species is changing the balance of nature across many acres of moorland.

The subject is now being discussed in national newspapers, on television and radio and in social media.   Politicians are getting involved.   This year at Rainham Mark Avery, Chris Packham, Martin Harper (RSPB Director of Global Conservation), and Ruth Tingay (conservationist) were joined by both Natalie Bennett (Green Party) and an impromptu piece from Barry Gardiner (Labour) – and yes, they did both have binoculars.

In 2014, there were only three Hen Harrier nest sites in England, when scientific studies showed there was sufficient suitable habitat to support 300+ nests.   This year, with more publicity and volunteers providing round the clock protection of Hen Harrier nests in England there were nine known successful nesting attempts in England, producing 34 fledglings.   Increasing numbers of birds are being radio tagged and we are getting more scientific data to help provide evidence for losses and also obtain more information to enable protection for our wildlife.   This is a great step forward but still a long way short of the 300+ nests we are capable of supporting.   Studies have shown at this rate of increase it will take until 2068 before we are anywhere near 300.

Having attended events each year since 2014, I am increasingly proud to be part of such a worthwhile campaign.    The iconic Hen Harrier, which used to be such a regular part of the Kent landscape when I moved here in the mid-1980’s, is now confined to the occasional winter visit, a very sad situation indeed.

Over the years the campaign has developed from protecting one species – our “sky-dancing” Hen Harriers, to protecting the biodiversity of the whole country for wildlife and people.

So, what can you do to help?

Click on the links below to get background information

Spread the word by mouth, letter, social media

Join Chris Packham for the Peoples Walk for Nature in Hyde Park, London on 22^ndSeptember 2018

Background information is available here:
https://markavery.info/grouse-shooting-hen-harriers/hen-harrier-day-2014/
http://ww2.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/skydancer/b/skydancer/archive/2018/07/31/title.aspx</
https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/

To see the full story of Rainham 2018 click here :
https://youtu.be/ocE_4x-G07o

For details of the Peoples Walk for Wildlife click here:
http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/peoples-walk-for-wildlife-posters”>

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