Hen Harrier survey results 2023: Numbers improve, but much more to be done

Hen Harrier survey results 2023: Numbers improve, but much more to be done - RSPB

a hen harrier in flight in a bright blue sky — Hen harrier *Circus cyaneus*, adult female in flight, Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, June Credit: Pete Morris (rspb-images.com)

Numbers of one of the UK’s rarest birds of prey, the Hen Harrier, are increasing across the UK, but their future still hangs in the balance according to a new survey.

Results of the 2023 Hen Harrier survey have been released, which show how populations of Hen Harriers are faring throughout the UK and Isle of Man, but it’s a mixed picture, with some populations doing better than in previous years, while others are in decline.

The results give some cause for optimism – the UK and Isle of Man population is estimated to be 691 territorial pairs, of which 653 are found in UK. This is a 20% increase from the 545 pairs recorded in the last survey in 2016 and also arrests the trend of decline shown since the 2004 survey, when 749 pairs were recorded.

However, Hen Harriers remain far less abundant or widespread than they should be, and the new population estimate represents only a quarter of the potential population their ideal habitat can support.

Across all four countries of the UK, there is huge variation between populations. England has seen the biggest increase since 2016. Natural England data shows there were 54 Hen Harrier breeding attempts by 50 territorial pairs in 2023 - a substantial 1,150% increase from just the four pairs recorded in 2016.