The Moorland Association was approached by The Guardian in advance of a report due to be published by RSPB on 11 April which would show an increasing number of hen harriers in England, but would also refer to illegal killing as a limiting factor.
Natural England data, included in the RSPB report, shows a hugely significant 1,150% increase from 2016 to 2023.
We made the point that while grouse moors have 50 per cent of the suitable habitat for hen harriers, we have 80 per cent of their nests. We also reiterated that grouse moors have more hen harrier nests than all RSPB reserves combined.
Our comment was included in The Guardian article, also published on Yahoo News Online. To read the article click here
Separately, a BBC News article appeared online, which reproduced the RSPB press release without a balancing comment from any rural organisation. We requested an addition to their article, which they updated the same day (here)
The RSPB hen harrier survey 2023 can be found here