As we look back on the last 12 months through a conservation lens, do we feel more, or less, optimistic about the prospects for British wildlife?
We’ve witnessed a new government take the reins in Westminster with a landslide majority. We’ve seen welcome new legislation come into force in Scotland to ban snares, license grouse moors to discourage raptor persecution, and prevent moorland burning. And we’ve heard good things about the new Hen Harrier Task Force, led by DI Mark Harrison from the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU).
As yet, there is little evidence of a focus on conservation issues such as habitat restoration or wildlife crime from the new Labour government, despite the high-profile Restore Nature Now rally, which saw more than 60,000 environmental activists march through central London in June.
There are also concerns that some amendments and backtracking on the new Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill may weaken its effectiveness. We eagerly await the first big prosecution under the new legislation, which will be the acid test of the law’s ability to deter wildlife crime and destruction of the upland landscape.
But as we reflect on our own work during 2024 to protect Hen Harriers, raise awareness of wildlife crime and connect with other organisations to call for better protection for nature and the environment, once again we’re inspired by our supporters.
A record-breaking response to the 2023 Christmas Appeal
One of the last actions we took in 2023 was to launch an appeal to fund satellite tags for young Hen Harriers, with an ambitious target of £12,000 to fund four tags. Astonishingly, we smashed that target in just eight days, reaching a total of more than £13,500. Armed with these funds generously donated by our supporters, the RSPB fitted tags to four fledgling Hen Harriers on our behalf during the summer months.
Also in the last days of 2023, we appointed two new Co-chairs, filmmaker Paul Samuels and youth ambassador Indy Kiemel Greene, who have given a new impetus to the charity during 2024.
Launch of the first HHA Young Wild Photographer competition
Following the growing success of the Young Wild Writers competition in recent years, we added a nature photography competition for the first time in March, with generous sponsorship from Opticron, and judged by the award-winning wildlife photographer Richard Birchett.
Connecting with children and young people about nature is a vital part of the charity’s role, and we were impressed by the quality of the winning entries.
Skydancer Day in the Cairngorms
Since the dark days at the beginning of the pandemic, we have run a live online event every year in May – Skydancer Day – to celebrate Hen Harriers, wildlife and conservation and environmental initiatives, and 2024 was no exception.
Led by a trio of young conservationists – marine biologist and TV presenter Christina Sinclair, ‘Green-fingered’ George Hassall, and wildlife artist Lauren Cook – Skydancer Day 2024 was broadcast live from RSPB Insh Marshes in the Cairngorms.
Featuring beaver releases, landscape-scale rewilding, stunning new Hen Harrier footage from award-winning photographer Richard Birchett, and a moving recreation of the tragic story of Bowland Beth through the medium of dance, filmed in the Forest of Bowland, the live broadcast attracted over 1,400 viewers.
The Skydancer Day presenters also welcomed Gill Lewis to launch…
The 2024 Young Wild Writers Competition
With more entries every year from the length and breadth of the British Isles and beyond, Hen Harrier Action’s 2024 Young Wild Writers competition attracted over 340 entries from children aged 5 to 16 years, in three age categories.
This year’s overall winning entry was from 8-year-old Aedan Garvey. Titled The Last Axolotl, it told the story of the decline of a Mexican lake and the demise of its axolotl population due to pollution and human disturbance. The results and winners were announced live on stage by Gill Lewis at Action for Wildlife Day.
Four young Hen Harriers satellite tagged, funded by our supporters
In mid-July we received the exciting news that four Hen Harriers had been fitted with satellite tags thanks to the generous donations of our supporters to the Christmas Appeal.
Binbeal and Sita in England, Gilda in Scotland and Adar in Wales all successfully fledged and started to explore beyond their birthplaces during the summer. Adar is currently wintering in the north-west of France, having crossed the English Channel in September.
While Gilda has travelled from Scotland to Wales and is currently in the Powys region, Binbeal remains rooted in his Forest of Bowland birthplace, and Sita is exploring the North Yorkshire moorlands.
We wish them well in these precarious first few months of their lives.
On Saturday 10th of August we hosted our most ambitious live event yet, a full day’s programme of speakers, stalls and music, with the generous support of our partners Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Protect the Wild and Wild Justice.
Featuring live music from the Sing It Bold Gospel Community Choir and legendary folk musician Martin Simpson, and with outstanding speakers including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust CEO Jo Smith, MP Olivia Blake, the RSPB’s Mark Thomas, Charlie Moores and Rob Pownall from Protect the Wild, best-selling nature author Mark Cocker and, of course, the indomitable Wild Justice trio of Ruth Tingay, Mark Avery and Chris Packham, it was a day to remember.
And with more than 20 stalls offering merchandise, memberships and advice, including the RSPB, Woodland Trust, National Wildlife Crime Unit and many local organisations, we had a huge positive response from all who attended. Here are just some of the many comments:
“Thanks for inviting us to speak – it was a thoroughly enjoyable day and a privilege to be part of your line-up”
Ruth Tingay, Wild Justice
“Great job on an amazing event; by far the best and best organised Hen Harrier Day so far!”
Jo Smith, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
“A very successful day for me and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. Lots of positive engagement, new contacts and collaborators for new projects.”
Paul Flint, National Wildlife Crime Unit
“Thank you for organising such a fantastic day. We had a great time, we spoke to an incredible amount of interested and engaged people”
Sally Jones, Badger Trust
All the sessions, including the live music, are available on our YouTube channel.
Three young conservationists fundraise for Hen Harriers
In November, three 10-year-old school friends from Guildford High School raised almost £500 by taking a stall at Ripley Farmer’s Market and selling homemade cakes and biscuits, eco-friendly homemade bird feeders and bird boxes, 3D-printed corn starch birds and second-hand toys and books.
Lana, Lucy and Emily raised an astonishing £430 on the day, and further donations from classmates and relatives took the grand total to £500, funds which will go towards tagging and protecting Hen Harriers in 2025.
Their self-made video describing their motivations and offering fundraising tips is truly heart-warming, and you can watch it on our YouTube channel.
Launch of the second Hen Harrier Action Christmas Appeal
