Hen harriers: Hopes rise for future of UK's most persecuted bird after best breeding year in decades

RSPB warns ongoing persecution of rare species means the 60 fledglings are at risk

In the face of ongoing raptor persecution across the UK, a hen harrier recovery project established in 2002 has recorded its best year to date, with 60 of the birds fledging from 19 nests across the north of England.

The bird, also known as the ‘sky dancer’ because of its aerial gymnastics is one of the rarest breeding birds in the country due to raptor persecution - largely by gamekeepers protecting grouse moors - which wiped out the species in the UK during the Victorian period.

Raptor persecution was made illegal in 1954, but has been continuing nonetheless.