The Northumberland Hen Harrier Protection Partnership is pleased to announce that this year 26 young hen harriers have fledged from seven nests on Forestry England land and two private estates in Northumberland.
The Northumberland Hen Harrier Protection Partnership is pleased to announce that this year 26 young hen harriers have fledged from seven nests on Forestry England land and two private estates in Northumberland.
Northumberland continues to be a great county for nationally rare Hen Harriers and 2022 is the eighth year in a row multiple nests have been successful. This year there were nine monitored nests with young birds leaving from seven of these.
This year eight more youngsters have taken to sky than in each of 2020 and 2021. This brings the total of known birds fledged in Northumberland to 106 since 2015.
The ground nesting hen harrier is one of the UK’s most endangered species. The upturn in its fortunes is down in part to the hard work of the Hen Harrier Protection Partnership.
The partnership comprises Forestry England, RSPB, Northumberland National Park Authority, Natural England, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation of the Ministry of Defence, Northumbria Police and local raptor experts, who monitor prospective nests and watch pairs when they settle, working with local landowners.
Gill Thompson, National Park Ecologist and chair of the Northumberland Hen Harrier Protection Partnership, said: “It’s fantastic that we have again had birds fledging in several locations around Northumberland. Thanks to those raptor workers, land managers and staff from the partner organisations involved this year.”
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Posted On: 08/12/2022