Response to RSPB Press Release Accusing Gamekeepers of Killing Hen Harriers
- Andrew Gilruth
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Statement by Andrew Gilruth, CEO, Moorland Association
This RSPB data is far from ‘confirmed’ and has been assembled without independent checks. I attach data from the National Wildlife Crime Unit about the only four people convicted for bird crime last year. Three were falconers. One was an egg collector. None were gamekeepers. [1]
On hen harriers, there are cases of birds ‘confirmed’ as illegally killed which have been magically resurrected. [2]
The problem with the RSPB’s spurious allegations is that they poison perceptions of gamekeepers. A report by Professor Simon Denney showed that one gamekeeper gets physically attacked every 12 days. [3] The RSPB’s fake bird crime data is inciting real hate crimes.
Gamekeepers are working hard to help birds thrive. For example, they worked with Defra on a scheme which, according to RSPB scientists, led to a 1,150% increase in hen harrier numbers. [4] However, following opposition to the project from RSPB management, Natural England this year refused to extend it.
I suspect that RSPB leaders are jealous that Britain’s most successful bird sanctuaries are found on grouse moors. Time after time scientific research has found them to be awash with birds. [5] Yet the RSPB stopped publishing data on how many birds choose to live on its reserves in 2012. Since then it has taken £2 billion in donations and grants – last year it made £170m. [6]
📧 Keep updated on this and all moorland issues - sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter.
Sources
[2] Examples of ‘illegally killed hen harriers’ coming back to life:
2019: Hen harrier “Rosie” reappears after satellite tag malfunctions: https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2019/10/21/missing-hen-harrier-rosie-reported-to-be-alive-and-well/
2017: Hen harrier “Highlander” reappears: https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/skydancer/b/skydancer/posts/highlander-lives
2016: Hen harrier “Highlander” went missing. The RSPB said: “All the staff and volunteers here feel great anger… at the persecution on some grouse shooting estates which results in there being no skydancing harriers over our hills.” https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/skydancer/b/skydancer/posts/another-missing-hen-harrier
[3] Upland Report – assaults on gamekeepers. See top of page 5 with 30 gamekeepers attacked in one year – i.e. one every 12 days
[4] A 1,150% increase in hen harrier numbers in England between 2016 and 2023. See page 7 of
“The status of breeding Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus in the UK and Isle of Man in 2023” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388523157_The_status_of_breeding_Hen_Harriers_Circus_cyaneus_in_the_UK_and_Isle_of_Man_in_2023
[5] Grouse moors as best bird sanctuaries – see five studies cited here: https://www.gwct.org.uk/policy/briefings/biodiversity-and-conservation-on-grouse-moors/
[6] RSPB makes £170 million a year
