NGO raise doubts over RSPB 'data' on Hen Harriers

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A ‘report’ from the RSPB has claimed that “record numbers of Hen Harriers have been killed or have gone missing over the past five years.” We are in no doubt as to why this report has been published now, with a parliamentary debate on grouse shooting scheduled for this coming Monday, 30 June, in Westminster Hall.

What we do doubt, however, is the ‘data’ referred to by the RSPB. Most wildlife crimes are classed as "non notifiable" by the police, meaning that they do not need to be recorded: as such, many police forces do not have data on incidences. So how has the RSPB data been acquired?

Having carried out Freedom of Information requests the NGO can state that from 2020 through to 2023, the police across all UK forces recorded eight Hen Harrier investigations in total. One was in Cumbria and the other 7 in Northumberland. Foul play was not cited by the police in any investigation.

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation condemns all wildlife crime, and criminality will not be tolerated. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any wildlife crime, and any NGO member found guilty will be expelled, and this information published on our website. 

However, there is nothing to back up the RSPB’s allegations, and the NGO can only think that this report is designed to damage the public perception of gamekeepers. Since 2018, gamekeepers across the uplands have worked hard to increase Hen Harrier numbers, working together with other organisations through Natural England’s Hen Harrier Action Plan. This project saw a significant increase in the number of nesting Hen Harriers, with a record 141 Hen Harrier chicks fledged in England in 2023.

The RSPB like to state that Hen Harriers often disappear on or near grouse moors; but the reality is that this is where they choose to live – rather than on RSPB reserves. Like all animals, Hen Harriers do of course die. As ground-nesting birds, they are susceptible to predation from both mammals and other birds. The NGO have picture evidence of White Tailed Eagles predating on Hen Harrier chicks, and we are aware that Natural England also have evidence of intraguild predation by Goshawks on Hen Harriers in Northumberland.

The birds are also vulnerable to weather conditions and food supply; they sadly have a high natural mortality, with an estimated 70% of hen harriers dying within their first year.

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