Hen Harrier Recovery Ignored as RSPB Pushes Misleading Claims: Our Letter to The Telegraph

Sir – The RSPB’s claims about missing hen harriers are misleading and inflammatory (Protected hen harriers being killed off in record numbers, June 26). England’s hen harrier population has quadrupled in five years, a success largely attributable to the Defra-led Brood Management Trial. An initiative the RSPB still opposes.

What’s more, data from Natural England shows that 80% of successful hen harrier nests are on driven grouse moors, despite these magical places being only half the available habitat used by this species. This is evidence of highly successful wildlife management, not widespread criminality.

The RSPB’s reliance on vague language, such as “confirmed or suspected” crimes, and its refusal to distinguish between missing satellite tracking tags and proven harm, undermines scientific credibility. It also ignored its own findings that such incidents have fallen 57% since 2020.

Conservation progress depends on collaboration, not scapegoating. Professional land managers deserve recognition for their role in this species recovery, based on the evidence - not sweeping accusations based on inference.

Andrew Gilruth, Chief Executive

The Moorland Association

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