RSPB Reveal More Detail About the Suspicious Disappearance of Hen Harrier Sita in the Yorkshire Dales National Park
An RSPB Press Release issued this week reveals more detail about the location where the young female Hen Harrier, Sita – satellite tagged thanks to the generous donations from our supporters – met her untimely end, less than nine months after she fledged in the Forest of Bowland.
Her last transmission was recorded on the 27th February when she was roosting for the winter, close to two large grouse moors in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Raptor Persecution UK website has a map showing the area where Sita disappeared.
Neither the body or the tag has been recovered, leading the RPSB to conclude “it is suspected that she has been shot illegally“.
Describing the area as becoming ‘A no-fly zone for birds of prey ‘, the RSPB press release noted:
“The Yorkshire Dales National Park is dominated by grouse moorland, and sadly one of the most well-known hotspots for bird of prey killing. Between 2015 and 2024, 67 confirmed or suspected incidents were recorded within or near the Park.
These include 39 incidents where birds of prey, including Peregrines, Hen Harriers, Red Kites and Buzzards, were targeted, poisoned, trapped or shot. Shockingly, the region accounted for 89% of all confirmed and suspected incidents of illegal Hen Harrier persecution between 2020 and 2024.
Sita’s loss brings the total number of suspicious disappearances of tagged Hen Harriers in the area to 29.”
Sita's Untimely Death Should be a Catalyst for Change
Commenting on the press release, Hen Harrier Action Co-chair Paul Samuels said:
“The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a landscape where Hen Harriers ought to be thriving. Yet time and time again headlines about the Park are dominated by illegal persecution stories, most often associated with grouse moors.
Sita’s short life and sad end should be a catalyst for change.”
The RSPB has again called for the introduction of licensing for driven grouse shoots, but Hen Harrier Action, along with many other organisations, believe that it is time to ban driven grouse shooting, and to strengthen the statutory powers of the National Park Authorities.
Time for a Ban? Read More Here
Wildlife Photographer Richard Birchett Becomes HHA Ambassador
Hen Harrier Action is delighted to announce that wildlife photographer Richard Birchett, who judged our Young Wild Photographer competition in 2024 and 2025, has agreed to take an Ambassador role for the charity.
Currently based in Ontario, Canada, but returning to his native Cornwall in 2026, he is a self-confessed lifelong fan of birds of prey, and the Hen Harrier is one of his all-time favourite birds. His short film of Hen Harriers on the Isle of Mull and in the Cairngorms National Park was one of the most viewed highlights of last year’s Skydancer Day event
Wild Future: A Talk by Award-winning Author Mark Cocker in Buxton
As part of our Sponsorship Season, in partnership with Buxton Civic Association, Hen Harrier Action is sponsoring a talk by award-winning author Mark Cocker entitled Wild Future: How We Can Have Hope For Nature in the 21st Century.
Taking place at Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre in Buxton on Tuesday 14th October, Mark will outline how the world has radically changed in the last century, and how our islands could be more diverse, more complex and a beacon for nature restoration.
You can find more details on our website.
News Roundup
Natural England reveals data showing 'slight increase' in nesting Hen Harriers in England...
Numbers of nesting Hen Harriers in England have risen slightly in 2025 to 39 breeding attempts, up from 34 in 2024, according to data released on the 1st October from Natural England. But they point out that “this population recovery remains fragile, and efforts to reduce illegal killing and disturbance of hen harriers remain necessary across much of the English uplands.”
...but Raptor Persecution UK suggests the Natural England headline only tells half the story
By looking deeper into the predominant land use in each of the upland areas in the Natural England figures, it can be seen that it is in the areas predominantly managed for conservation where most nesting attempts took place. Raptor Persecution UK estimates that only 3-5 nesting attempts of the 39 recorded were on grouse moors in England in 2025.
You can read the full blog article on the Raptor Persecution UK website.
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