The Government takes positive steps towards bird of prey protections

In September, the Department for Environmental and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced a call for evidence to assess the impacts of gamebird shooting on wildlife, the environment and animal welfare.

We hope this evidence gathering is the positive first step towards the introduction of licensing gamebird shoots in England – which would be game changing for birds of prey and is a cause we’ve long campaigned for at the RSPB.

The Hen Harrier. Their tumbling aerial courtship displays are a spectacle – and something everyone should get to witness in England’s uplands in the spring. From the Forest of Bowland to Northumberland, the Pennines to the Peak District, it’s estimated that England should be home to roughly 323-340 breeding pairs of these birds.

Yet, in 2013, just two pairs could be found across the whole country. Over the past few years, the species is making a slow and steady recovery, but numbers are still way below those potential figures – with a total of just 39 estimated breeding attempts in 2025.

So where are all those missing birds? Extensive evidence has proven, time and time again, that the population is suppressed by illegal killing and nest disturbance.

A 2023 RSPB study found that illegal killing accounted for 75% of mortality in Hen Harriers aged between one and two years, with illegal killing primarily associated with areas managed for grouse shooting. These crimes are committed to remove any perceived threat of predation Hen Harriers pose to Red Grouse in an effort to maximise the number available to be commercially shot for profit during the grouse shooting season.

Earlier this year, we published our Patterns of Persecution report – a summary of the data we’ve collected over the past 10 years, illustrating its impact on bird of prey populations.

While every bird of prey in the UK is protected by law, the killing of these birds is relentless. Between 2015 and 2024, 921 confirmed incidents were recorded. At least 55% of these occurred on or near land managed for gamebird shooting. Many more incidents go unseen and unreported – what’s been recorded is only a fraction of what’s actually happening.

The evidence from the recent report highlights that – despite these birds being legally protected – the current system is not an effective enough deterrent. To protect the future of the UK’s birds of prey, we need to see action now.

We’ve long campaigned for gamebird licensing as a fair and practical solution. If a gamebird estate is found guilty of raptor persecution, they should lose their licence and cease to operate. Responsible shoots could continue to operate, while estates linked to wildlife crime would finally face meaningful consequences.

We know it’s possible. In 2024, Scotland introduced their Wildlife and Muirburn Bill – a historic piece of legislation that introduced a licensing system for grouse moors.

Defra are asking experts and stakeholders for evidence on the effect on wildlife and protected habitats, the spread of disease, animal welfare, wildlife crime and the use of natural resources.

The call for evidence is aimed at those with evidence and experience of the impacts of gamebird shooting. It is vital that this is followed by an opportunity for everybody's views to be heard through a public consultation.

Right now, we need the plight of the Hen Harrier to stay at the forefront of our MPs minds. And that’s where you can help. Call on your MP to urge No.10 to get licensing into law.