Yet more Hen Harrier persecution on grouse moors in 2025 - RSPB

Six sat-tagged Hen Harriers suspected illegally killed, with a seventh confirmed poisoned.

Seven satellite tagged Hen Harriers are suspected or confirmed to have been illegally killed on or near land managed for grouse shooting in England in 2025. One bird was confirmed poisoned, with a further six disappearing in suspicious circumstances. All final transmissions from the birds’ tags were on or near land managed for grouse shooting.

All incidents were quickly reported to the police and National Wildlife Crime Unit’s Hen Harrier Taskforce. Obtaining evidence of Hen Harrier killing and bringing prosecutions is extremely difficult but police investigations continue.

Protecting a Red-listed bird

Hen Harriers are a protected, Red-listed species of high conservation concern with illegal killing widely recognised as the main cause for their vulnerable status.

To monitor Hen Harrier movements and survival, the RSPB and Natural England have been tagging Hen Harrier chicks for over 15 years. These highly reliable satellite tags normally continue to transmit even when a bird dies. However, as multiple incidents have shown, many tags have suddenly and suspiciously stopped transmitting on or near grouse moors without sign of malfunction.

Evidence – including peer reviewed data, intelligence reports and forensic analysis – indicates that it is highly likely that in these circumstances the Hen Harrier’s tag has been intentionally damaged or destroyed after the bird has been illegally killed. So despite strong indication that a crime has been committed, in the absence of substantive evidence, the perpetrator cannot be brought to justice.