Birds of prey

A lasting impression

Mesmerised by hen harriers

Female hen harrier with food

Since 1969, when the Forest of Bowland was first recolonised by breeding hen harriers, these birds have been intensively monitored by dedicated birdwatchers. Pete Wilson, Bowland Project Officer tells us about his own experiences with these beautiful birds.

Since 1980, the RSPB has been directly involved in the annual monitoring, mainly working on the 10,000 hectare Bowland Estate owned by water company United Utilities (UU).

The number one spot

This estate is undoubtedly the single most important breeding area in England for hen harriers: annually supporting at least half of the English breeding population.

Everybody always remembers their first time, and I’m no different. On the third day of my new job working with hen harriers, here I was sitting cold and alone on the top of a moor, in low cloud and drizzle. ‘What am I doing here?’ I asked myself. It soon became clear, literally.

'I was mesmerised, and feeling incredibly privileged to be able to witness this.'

The cloud lifted (though it kept on drizzling) and suddenly there she was – a beautiful female harrier, circling just below the cloud base. Then, from nowhere, she was joined by a male.

I watched them circling lazily together for about 30 minutes before they disappeared into the cloud. I was mesmerised, and feeling incredibly privileged to be able to witness this.

Worth the wait

After many years, I’m still captivated by hen harriers, and there are never enough hours in the day to be able to just sit and watch them. However, this opportunity is a rare one for the vast majority of people as, apart from the Forest of Bowland, much of upland England is devoid of breeding hen harriers, despite large areas of suitable habitat.

Thankfully, due to the support that UU and the co-operation that their farming and shooting tenants extend to the RSPB, breeding hen harriers are sure of a welcome on at least one area of upland England.

We all have our favourite times of the year, and for me spring is the best time. Each year I look forward to the return of the hen harriers to the moorlands of the UU estate, and seeing their display flight on a sunny morning – or even on a wet horrible day, come to think of it. And the wait is always worth it!

What can I do?

Birds of prey continue to be mercilessly killed, despite the fact that it is illegal and has been for decades. Please add your name to our online pledge and say 'the killing must stop'.

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Last modified: 02 July 2008

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