28 August 2009

UK’s rarest breeding bird of prey chooses Norfolk and the Wash

Nearly half of all UK breeding attempts made by the Montagu’s harrier, our rarest breeding
bird of prey, were made in north west Norfolk and around the Wash this year.

Year on year these magnificent birds of prey travel from Africa via continental Europe and across the UK to get to Norfolk and Lincolnshire. RSPB experts from the Harrier Protection Scheme, run in conjunction with Natural England, are yet to find out what attracts the birds to these areas.

Jim Scott from the Scheme said, ‘We don’t know why the birds dismiss other areas in preference of north Norfolk and the Wash. The young birds might be taking a leaf out of their parent’s book and returning to their original nesting ground year on year.’

Jim continued, ‘These incredible birds of prey are very prone to disturbance and without our protection this could often cause nesting attempts to fail. The Harrier Protection Scheme works with the co-operation of many farmers in the area to limit the disturbance of harriers. If young birds haven’t left the nest before harvest, farmers often leave an area uncut. In some locations where foxes may be an issue we help farmers erect fencing around a particular plot to protect the birds.’

However, not everyone is as proud of birds of prey as these farmers. 2008 saw 24 incidents of bird of prey persecution in this region alone with 20 of these incidents involved shooting, trapping or poisoning.

Agnes Rothon, RSPB Communications Officer said, ‘the RSPB is asking everyone to add their voice to our Bird of Prey Campaign where we are calling for the end of illegal persecution of birds of prey. It is crazy that, even today, people are still destroying these incredible birds. It’s got to stop.’

Agnes continued, ‘Anyone can sign our pledge by visiting www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey or by visiting one of our reserves and picking up a pledge card. Please help us end bird of prey crime.’