The moorland communities we represent applaud the mature leadership of Defra which has overseen the extraordinary recovery of hen harriers in England from zero chicks fledging in 2013 to a record 141 chicks in 2023. This is the result of a patient collaboration between conservationists and those fearful that these predators will devour the game birds their livelihoods depend on.
This successful teamwork contrasts with today’s statement from Natural England about autopsies on two hen harriers. Natural England manages to contradict itself in the space of one sentence by saying it is not certain “the death of either bird” is down to illegal activity but then immediately suggesting that their deaths illustrate “ongoing illegal persecution”.
Natural England is transparently ideological when the protection of nature requires wise pragmatists.