Hen Harrier Delights
Posted on 11/02/11
Come along to the RSPB’s Pulborough Brooks nature reserve and see the male hen harrier, a magnificent bird of prey, which has been putting in a regular appearance at the reserve since the New Year.
Debbie Wiltshire
Hen Harrier at the Pulborough Brooks nature reserve
If you have visited the RSPB’s Pulborough Brooks nature reserve recently, you may have been lucky enough to have seen the male hen harrier, which has been putting in a regular appearance since the New Year.
Over the last week, this magnificent bird of prey has been seen on most days, hunting along the river bank and the ditches, delighting visitors, staff and volunteers alike.
Pete Hughes, RSPB Warden, said: “It is not unusual for female or juvenile hen harriers, known as ‘ringtails’, to be seen in the Arun Valley and up on the South Downs at this time of year, but the regular appearance of an adult male is quite a treat. The wet grassland here at Pulborough Brooks is an ideal habitat for hen harriers during the winter months.”
Hen harriers spend the winter on lowland farmland, heathland, coastal marshes and river valleys, before returning in late March, to the upland heather moorlands of Wales, Northern England and Scotland to breed.
An extensive survey of hen harriers during the 2010 breeding season revealed that only 12 pairs attempted to breed in England, and only 7 were successful. There is continual danger that, with such a small breeding population, this beautiful bird will slip into extinction for a second time in England.
Even though these birds are now protected by law the persecution of birds of prey is still devastatingly common. The RSPB is working with the government to ensure greater protection for the hen harrier and other birds of prey, as well as managing land on our nature reserves to encourage them to breed successfully.
Pete added: “This stunning bird has been seen almost daily, so come along and try and see it for yourself. With volunteers on hand, reporting sightings of the hen harrier and all sorts of other birds and wildlife, we’ll do our best to help you.”
The reserve is open daily and is located off the A283 between Pulborough and Storrington. For further information please contact the visitor centre on 01798 875851 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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