We can help you create your own event
Hen Harrier Day events typically take place in early August, in protest against the ‘Inglorious 12th’, the start of the Red Grouse shooting season. But events to raise awareness of the plight of this rare and heavily persecuted bird of prey – or to raise funds to protect them – can take place at any time of year.
Hen Harrier Action supports all kinds of events throughout the year and we’d love to hear your plans and ideas.
We can help with promotional support. We may be able to provide leaflets, banners and even organise speakers for your event. Tell us what you need.
Why Hen Harriers need your help
Known for its spectacular skydancing flight, the Hen Harrier is one of the UK’s most threatened birds of prey. It is a Red Listed species in the UK, meaning it is of the highest conservation concern.
Hen Harriers can hunt Red Grouse, which are highly valued as a game bird. In recent decades, Hen Harrier numbers have fallen in areas where moorland is managed for driven grouse shooting. Although Hen Harriers are fully protected by law, wildlife crime linked to driven grouse shooting is strangling any population recovery. The UK could support around 2,600 pairs, but it is estimated that the population is much lower, at less than 700 pairs, mainly breeding in Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man, with just a handful of pairs in England.
So it is no surprise that most people have never seen a Hen Harrier, or experienced the thrill of watching their spectacular skydancing displays.
The recent RSPB report, Hen Harriers in the Firing Line, summarises the precarious position of this iconic upland bird of prey, and documents some of the shocking cases of persecution and illegal killing.
We need your help to raise public awareness of these beautiful birds and the threats they face.
How you can help Hen Harriers
There’s no ‘one size fits all’. You should run the event that you want to run, from a stall at a farmers’ market or Christmas fair to an art exhibition, concert, moorland walk or town centre rally.
Perhaps your local school or community group would like to organise an exhibition or a concert, to raise awareness. Or you’d like to raise funds at a local fete with a second-hand book stall, bake sale, or by selling homemade bird boxes and feeders.
You could organise...
Whatever you have in mind, please get in touch with us and send us your event idea (up to 250 words). We can help you to plan and promote the event, and we can may even be able to provide posters, leaflets and banners, or anything else you need.
Talk to us today
The earlier in your planning that you contact us, the more we can help you. No idea is too big or too small. We’d be thrilled to hear from you, and delighted to help you.
Send your event idea to us at info@henharrierday.uk and we’ll respond quickly, and probably suggest a Zoom call to talk things through and help bring your idea to life.