Hen Harrier LIFE project
Securing a future for one of the UK's most threatened birds of prey
Hen Harrier LIFE
Hen harriers are one of the most persecuted birds of prey in the UK. Between 2014 and 2019, the Hen Harrier LIFE project aimed to provide the conditions in which the hen harrier’s population and range could recover, particularly in areas where the species was most threatened.
Helping hen harriers
Meet the people and landowners who are leading the way in protecting hen harriers and find out how you can play a part, from supporting our call for change to reporting crimes
Seeing hen harriers
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![A ringtail hen harrier in flight]()
Have you seen a hen harrier?
If you think you've seen a hen harrier please let us know. Our identification guide can help you check your sighting.
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![Calluna the tagged hen harrier]()
Meet our tagged birds
We tagged over 100 hen harriers to follow their movements around the UK and beyond. Read some of their stories.
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![Dark clouds over hills and heathland]()
Best places to see hen harriers
Hen harriers are a rare sight in the UK, but we can help you find the best places to see them.
Find out more
Discover the issues facing hen harriers and what we’ve done to address them.
Listen to our podcasts to hear from people on the frontline of hen harrier conservation.
Catch up on the lives and stories of our hen harriers on the Skydancer blog or head to Northern England Raptor Forum, Scottish Raptor Study Group or Operation Owl to get more recent updates.
Funder acknowledgement
The Hen Harrier LIFE project received a contribution of €1,134,966 towards this work from the LIFE programme, which is the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action created in 1992. The remainder was funded by the RSPB plus a range of smaller donors, including LUSH and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project focussed on seven Special Protection Areas, which form part of the Natura 2000 ecological network. These important sites for wildlife were designated across the EU under the Birds Directive as SPAs and the Habitats Directive as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) for other species and habitats. Natura 2000 sites are protected under both national and EU law.
