Hen Harrier Day
Hen Harrier Day
"Of the UK's birds of prey, this is the most intensively persecuted. Once predating free-range fowl, earning its present name, its effect on the number of grouse available to shoot is the cause of modern conflict and threatens its survival in some parts of the UK, particularly on the driven grouse moors of England and Scotland.
While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. They fly with wings held in a shallow 'V', gliding low in search of food, which mainly consists of meadow pipits and voles. The Orkney population is famous for being polygynous, with males sometimes mating with multiple females on the island.
They are listed as a Schedule 1 species under The Wildlife and Countryside Act." RSPB.
What is a Hen Harrier? Circus cyaneus
What is a Hen Harrier? Circus cyaneus
Male
Male
Female
Female
@RonaldSurgenor of Twitter
(c) Amy Lewis, Wildlife Trusts
Since 2014 Hen Harrier Day has been a regular feature in the conservation calendar, when Chris Packham, Mark Avery and the Sodden 570 gathered at the foot of Derwent Dam to call for an end to the killing of Hen Harriers and all other birds of prey. Each year since people have gathered, usually on the weekend before the so called Glorious 12th August at events across the country in a continued effort to drive this message to politicians, landowners and the wider public. The events are usually rally formats with stalls giving supporters the opportunity to meet people working with he organisations involved in the event.
Hen Harrier Days are now co-ordinated by Hen Harrier Action who rook over from Birders Against Wildlife Crime in late 2019. Mark Avery, Chris Packham and the Wild Justice Team were responsible for the organisation of the 2014 and 2019 main events.
The 'Problem'
Conservation scientists agree that the uplands of England alone have enough suitable habitat to support around 300 breeding pairs, yet for many years that figure has failed to reach 10. Illegal killing in the areas surronding grouse moors has been proven time and again to be the biggest thret to these birds by far. The recent trapping of a male near Leadhills in South Lanarkshire featured in the video below from 2019 is just one example.
Conservation scientists agree that the uplands of England alone have enough suitable habitat to support around 300 breeding pairs, yet for many years that figure has failed to reach 10. Illegal killing in the areas surronding grouse moors has been proven time and again to be the biggest thret to these birds by far. The recent trapping of a male near Leadhills in South Lanarkshire featured in the video below from 2019 is just one example.
Climate Change
The video touches briefly on the environmental impact of inensive land management required for stocking the hills with the numbers of grouse for viable shoots. Every year vast areas of the British uplands are burned which has a massive impact on the vegetation. This burning prevents the growth of sphagnum moss, which is vital for capturing rainwater, preventing flooding downriver in periods of high rainfall, but also for locking away carbon in peat. The uplands of the UK hold vast amounts of carbon which in the form of peat has been locked away by the life cycle of sphagnum moss. However the cycle of burning and grazing means that much of this internationally important peat is breaking down through drying out, being washed down hillsides into the rivers and releasing carbon back into the atmosphere. Something has to change in our uplands.
The truth of the matter is that this criminality goes beyond Hen Harriers and other birds of prey. Predators of all kinds have routinely been targeted by so called 'bad gamekeepers' with under cover videos of owls, badgers and even lambs being caught up in snares and other traps. This isn't limited to shooting estates across the country there are still pockets of people who still think it's fun to commit vile acts against all kinds of wildlife. From Hare Coursing to taking a pot shot at anything that moves with an air rifle, Hen Harrier Day isn't about just one species it's about turning the tide on Wildlife Crime once and for all.
Mascots
Every cause needs a face, one to capture the attention of the public and engage them in the cause. Hen Harrier Day has three who've done their bit to raise the profile of their species plight; Henry the Hen Harrier, a rather large human sized male and Sheffield Environmentals own 'our' Calluna a large juvenille.
Henry is a male who is seeking a mate across the UK's moorlands, while 'our' Calluna takes her name from a satellite tagged bird who vanished under suspicious circumstances over a grouse moor on 12th August 2017. One week on from the first Sheffield Hen Harrier Day.
Henry is a male who is seeking a mate across the UK's moorlands, while 'our' Calluna takes her name from a satellite tagged bird who vanished under suspicious circumstances over a grouse moor on 12th August 2017. One week on from the first Sheffield Hen Harrier Day.
They pop up on social media from time to time and if you're lucky you may find yourself at a Hen Harrier Day event. Don't worry, they wont bite and often like to have their pictures taken with people.
Henry
Henry
Harry
Before Henry and Calluna there was Harry the Hen Harrier, built by a young Findlay with his father's help. Harry is a proud member of the Sodden 570, he's been seen at many locations and carries the tags of many supporters.
Sheffield Hen Harrier Days
We organise the event when it comes to Sheffield following on from the Peak District Rallies of 2014,15 & 16. As there wasn't an event taking place in the Peaks during 2017, we took the decision to organise an even in Sheffield City Centre. The idea was to bring it out of the countryside, to a new group of people, hopefully increasing our reach. As the BBC, Sheffield Star, Sheffield Telegraph and Sheffield Live have attended our events to report on them across the city and the wider region, it worked.
We organise the event when it comes to Sheffield following on from the Peak District Rallies of 2014,15 & 16. As there wasn't an event taking place in the Peaks during 2017, we took the decision to organise an even in Sheffield City Centre. The idea was to bring it out of the countryside, to a new group of people, hopefully increasing our reach. As the BBC, Sheffield Star, Sheffield Telegraph and Sheffield Live have attended our events to report on them across the city and the wider region, it worked.
In 2019 we rested the Sheffield Hen Harrier Day in favour of supporting Wild Justice's 5th Anniversary celebration event that attracted more than 1,500 people. Due to the Covid 19 situation a return to Sheffield in 2020 wasn't possible and it didn't feel safe to organise one in 2021. We've rested it again in 2022 because of Wild Justice's Hen Harrier Fest in Cheshire and ultimately prohibitive insurance costs.
2019; Carsington, Derbyshire
2020-2022; Online
Future
While the cost of insuring rallies and hiring city centre space to hold them remains prohibitive, we remain passionate about the management of our uplands and bringing the persecution of our birds of prey to an end. We're looking for opportunities to create a smaller and more creative event in future that will take our message to more people. It may take some time, but watch this space.
Make Your Own Hen Harrier
Thanks to the creativity of a group of passionate people there a few designs to help you make your own Hen Harrier Mascot without breaking the bank. With the imagination of collective support of people up and down the country for the campaign, the possibilities for making your own unique Hen Harrier Mascot. So if you have an idea for your own make, get crafting, we'd love to see it and Hen Harrier Action would love to see it too. Every photo has the potential to get people talking and your creations certain to raise a smile and help spread the word. For more designs and a special Hen Harrier Day challenge follow the Make a Hen Harrier banner link below. All designs present at links at the time of the last edit.
Thanks to the creativity of a group of passionate people there a few designs to help you make your own Hen Harrier Mascot without breaking the bank. With the imagination of collective support of people up and down the country for the campaign, the possibilities for making your own unique Hen Harrier Mascot. So if you have an idea for your own make, get crafting, we'd love to see it and Hen Harrier Action would love to see it too. Every photo has the potential to get people talking and your creations certain to raise a smile and help spread the word. For more designs and a special Hen Harrier Day challenge follow the Make a Hen Harrier banner link below. All designs present at links at the time of the last edit.
The Make a Hen Harrier Challenge was initiated by Sheffield Environmental in partnership with Hen Harrier Action for the 2020 Hen Harrier Day Online and athough the date on the poster has passed the continues to be open to anyone with an idea.
Through their Skydancer campaign the RSPB offered free hen harrier-themed assemblies and workshops to all primary and secondary schools in the Forest of Bowland, Geltsdale and North Tynedale areas. Many of the online resources they created for this can still be found on the project website.
Through their Skydancer campaign the RSPB offered free hen harrier-themed assemblies and workshops to all primary and secondary schools in the Forest of Bowland, Geltsdale and North Tynedale areas. Many of the online resources they created for this can still be found on the project website.
Key Hen Harrier Day Pages
These are the websites of organisatons that have been key to the Hen Harrier Day movement since its inception in 2014. We'd like to thank them for their contribution to the campaign, you can find links to organisations who have supported the Sheffield Hen Harrier Days on the relevant event page above.
RSPB's Ongoing Hen Harrier Work
The RSPB's Skydancer and Hen Harrier EU funded projects may have come to an end, but their efforts to ensure this bird continues to survive and thrive where possible continues. Much of our Hen Harrier material came from RSPB sources and their Investigations Team still tracks and monitors the birds' movements. If you've seen a Hen Harrier, please inform them so they with partners can take appropriate steps to try and ensure the birds are kept safe from human caused harm.
The Moorland Monitors volunteer team does a lot to protect wildlife around our region so please contact them too, to ensure as many of the right people as possible know as possible.
Other organisations
RSPB; 01767 680 551 or crime@rspb.org.uk
RSPCA; 0300 1234 999
Scottish SPCA; 0300 0999 999
League Against Cruel Sports Wildlife Crimewatch 01483 361 108
RSPCA; 0300 1234 999
Scottish SPCA; 0300 0999 999
League Against Cruel Sports Wildlife Crimewatch 01483 361 108
Hunt Investigation Team 07562 314 4444 or huntinvestigationteam@gmail.com
If you wish to speak to someone anonymously, you can also consider:
RSPB Raptor Crime Hotline 0300 999 0101
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Reporting to the Police
Call 999 when it’s an emergency;
*a crime is in progress
*someone suspected of a crime is nearby
*when there is danger to life
*when violence is being used or threatened
*a crime is in progress
*someone suspected of a crime is nearby
*when there is danger to life
*when violence is being used or threatened
If you don’t need an emergency response, then you should call 101 or use the local Police Force's online reporting facilities.
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Have you witnessed wildlife crime?
In general, wildlife crime is any action which contravenes current legislation governing the protection of the UK’s wild animals and plants and includes:
*Hare Coursing
*Deer poaching
*Fish poaching
*Badger persecution – including baiting, snaring, shooting, and disturbance of setts
*Bat persecution
*Egg theft / collection
*Bird of Prey persecution – through poisoning, trapping, shooting, disturbance of nest and/or theft of chicks
*The trade in ivory, tortoises, rhino horn and other protected species covered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) including caviar, Traditional Chinese Medicines, and orchids)
*Non registration of certain birds and animals that require licensing through DEFRA/Animal Health if kept in captivity or sold
*Deer poaching
*Fish poaching
*Badger persecution – including baiting, snaring, shooting, and disturbance of setts
*Bat persecution
*Egg theft / collection
*Bird of Prey persecution – through poisoning, trapping, shooting, disturbance of nest and/or theft of chicks
*The trade in ivory, tortoises, rhino horn and other protected species covered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) including caviar, Traditional Chinese Medicines, and orchids)
*Non registration of certain birds and animals that require licensing through DEFRA/Animal Health if kept in captivity or sold
For more information on wildlife crime see the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit website.