The results of the 2023 RSPB Hen Harrier survey shows an increase in numbers in places providing a safe home for these magnificent birds: The west Highlands, Hebrides and Orkney. The majority of Scotland’s breeding harriers are found in these locations. 

Persecution of hen harriers continues in other parts of mainland Scotland where satellite tagged birds have ‘disappeared’, mainly over areas of grouse shooting managed land.

The Southern Uplands saw a very steep 32 per cent decline. Four Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated by NatureScot for hen harriers and they now only breed on one, community-owned land at Langholm.

Click on this link for a tracking update: Hen harrier tracking update: overview

 The overall population of hen harriers in Scotland was estimated at 529 territorial pairs, up by 15% since 2016, giving Scotland 77% of the UK and Isle of Man population.

Commenting on the results Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management for RSPB Scotland, said:

“The results of the latest Hen Harrier survey show there is cause for optimism, and some encouraging signs of population recovery in parts of Scotland, particularly the Western Isles, which we hope to see continue.

“Sadly, Hen Harrier persecution continues. Just last month, a satellite-tagged Hen Harrier disappeared in the Angus Glens. The illegal killing associated with intensive grouse moor management must stop. We are calling on Police Scotland to ensure all satellite tagged raptors disappearing in suspicious circumstances be recorded as a crime.

“With the passing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill by the Scottish Parliament, all grouse shooting in Scotland will require a licence, which can be revoked if there is evidence of raptor persecution and other forms of wildlife crime, that is linked to a particular landholding.

“In our view the passing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill should provide a significant deterrent to wildlife crime, and we should now expect now to see Hen Harrier populations on grouse moors increasing. The Bill also contains important changes to the law with regards burning on moorland which should improve nesting habitats for Hen Harriers.”

The Scottish Government recently passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill which will introduce licencing for grouse shooting in Scotland, alongside measures to protect the habitats Hen Harriers need to thrive.

The RSPB hopes the success in Scotland will lead to similar legislation in England, and that and landscape restoration in Wales and Northern Ireland lead to a brighter future for Hen Harriers in the UK.

The Hen Harrier survey was carried out across the UK in 2023 as a nationwide partnership between the RSPB, NatureScot, Natural Resource Wales, Natural England, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs-Northern Ireland, the Scottish Raptor Study Group, the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group, Northern England Raptor Forum and Manx BirdLife, with the support of many volunteers, landowners, land managers and farmers.