Record Number Of Hen Harrier Chicks Fledge At Cumbrian Nature Reserve
A record 13 Hen Harrier chicks have fledged at a Cumbrian nature reserve during its most successful breeding season in more than a century.
The achievement was recorded at RSPB Geltsdale in the north Pennines, where the 13 young birds successfully left their nests. It is the highest number of Hen Harrier chicks to fledge at the reserve since breeding records began more than 100 years ago.
The result represents a significant breeding success for a species that remains on the Red List and has faced serious challenges in England. Hen Harriers were hunted to extinction as a breeding bird in England by 1900, before returning to the north Pennines during the 1950s.
Three nests at Geltsdale successfully produced the 13 chicks during the latest breeding season. Reserve staff and volunteers carried out extensive work to support the birds, with careful monitoring used throughout the nesting period to reduce disturbance.
Staff also established diversionary feeding stations to support the breeding adults. The approach was intended to help the parent birds concentrate on raising their young while reducing the need for them to travel away from their nesting areas in search of food.
The nests were monitored throughout the day and night as part of the protection work. Close observation allowed staff to follow the progress of the birds while helping ensure that potential disturbance around the nesting sites was kept to a minimum.
Several of the young Hen Harriers have now been fitted with tags. The identification tags will allow their movements and development to be monitored as the birds mature and leave the reserve, providing information about what happens to them after they become independent.
The record number of fledged chicks has provided encouragement for conservationists working to support the species. The successful breeding season demonstrates that Hen Harriers can produce strong numbers of young when suitable conditions and protection measures are in place.
However, conservation concerns remain despite the positive result. The Hen Harrier continues to face threats after leaving breeding sites, with illegal persecution identified as an ongoing issue affecting the species.
The RSPB has called for the Government to introduce a licensing system for gamebird shooting across the UK. The organisation says such a system could help deter wildlife crime and provide greater protection for birds of prey including Hen Harriers.
Ian Ryding, reserve manager at Geltsdale, described Hen Harriers as remarkable birds and highlighted the spectacle of their aerial displays. The species is known for its distinctive behaviour during breeding, including the male passing food to the female while both birds are in flight.
Mr Ryding said the latest breeding success provided an important reason for celebration. He also expressed concern about the future survival of the young birds once they leave the relative protection of the reserve.
The reserve manager said that supporting both parents had helped the three nests thrive and contributed to the successful fledging of all 13 chicks. The number represents the highest total recorded at Geltsdale for at least a century.
Conservationists hope some of the young birds will eventually return to the area when they reach breeding age. If they do return, they could contribute to future generations and help establish a stronger population of Hen Harriers in the north Pennines.
The tagging programme will be particularly useful in understanding whether the young birds remain in the region or move elsewhere. Tracking their progress can provide conservation teams with valuable information about the survival and movements of the species after fledging.
The latest breeding season also highlights the importance of sustained conservation work. Protecting nesting sites, monitoring breeding birds and providing additional support can all contribute to successful fledging, but the challenges do not end when young birds leave their nests.
Hen Harriers remain one of the UK's most threatened birds of prey, and their continued presence in the north Pennines is closely linked to effective conservation and protection. The record at Geltsdale therefore represents both a successful breeding season and an opportunity to learn more about the species.
For now, the sight of 13 young Hen Harriers taking flight above Geltsdale provides a significant conservation milestone. The focus will now turn to following their progress and ensuring that as many as possible survive to adulthood and eventually return to raise their own families.
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