
Record number of hen harriers killed or missing in northern England
Hen harriers are one of the rarest species of bird in the UK and are categorised as red-listed in terms of conservation concern.They are considered to be at high risk of extinction because of low breeding population levels following historic declines as a result of human persecution, the RSPB said.Despite being legally protected, multiple studies and reports have found that criminal activity is the main factor limiting the species' recovery.The RSPB report issued earlier contains details of hen harriers being shot, their chicks being stamped on and one bird having its head pulled off while still alive.Dr Robinson said: "This species will not recover until the criminal activity stops".The charity is calling on the government to introduce licensing of grouse shooting in England, as has happened in Scotland, to act as a meaningful deterrent to wildlife crime.It comes ahead of a parliamentary debate at Westminster Hall on Monday over the future of grouse shooting, triggered by a petition launched by campaign group Wild Justice that gained more than 100,000 signatures.Over the last 25 years, conservationists rolled out several initiatives to support the endangered species and the population increased between 2016 and 2023.
But 2023 became the worst recorded year for persecution with 34 birds confirmed to have been killed or disappeared under suspicious circumstances, according to the RSPB.There was a 43% decline in the number of chicks fledging in 2024 when compared to 2023 figures, the report said.The number of breeding females recorded dropped from 50 in 2023 to 34 in 2024 – a 32% fall.It also includes 112 satellite-tagged birds disappearing on or near grouse moors between 2010 and 2024.No one in England has ever been convicted of an offence, the RSPB said, adding that most crimes take place in remote areas where such activity is hard to detect and the criminal burden of proof against the perpetrators is difficult to secure.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Westbury man caught driving 100mph 'no match' for police dog
A man who was caught driving at more than 100mph, including on blind bends and into oncoming traffic, has been jailed for a year after being detained by a police Kibblewhite, of Castle View in Westbury, Wiltshire, also tried to flee officers on foot during the pursuit in Bathampton on 10 31-year-old drove round the back of a warehouse and got out to run, but "was no match for police dog Stan", said PC Layton of Wiltshire Police, who described Kibblewhite's actions as "incredibly reckless".He was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates Court on 20 August after pleading guilty to multiple driving offences. The chase began at about 10:15 BST on Bradford Road in the direction of Bradford on Avon, said refusing to stop, Kibblewhite was followed. Officers briefly lost sight of him until they spotted a huge dust cloud in a roadside there said the vehicle had been driven round the back of a large warehouse, where Kibblewhite was seen walking away, then running when he saw in an empty horsebox by Stan, he tried to flee but was detained by the dog before being arrested, during which he racially abused an officer. PC Layton said: "Kibblewhite's driving was incredibly reckless and dangerous, putting numerous lives at risk as he attempted to escape justice."After he fled his vehicle he tried to hide, but he was no match for police dog Stan."Kibblewhite pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, failing to stop for police, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and racially aggravated public order.


BreakingNews.ie
23 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Noel Clarke set to learn outcome of libel claim against Guardian publisher
Actor Noel Clarke is set to discover whether he has been successful in his High Court libel claim against the publisher of the Guardian on Friday. Clarke, 49, is suing Guardian News and Media (GNM) over seven articles and a podcast, including an article in April 2021 that said 20 women who knew him professionally had come forward with allegations of misconduct. Advertisement Clarke denies the allegations, while GNM is defending its reporting as being both true and in the public interest. Noel Clarke is set to discover whether his High Court libel claim has been successful. Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA. A trial earlier this year heard from multiple witnesses who made accusations against Clarke, including that he had allegedly shared nude photographs of them without their consent, groped them, and asked them to look at him when he was exposed. Barristers for Clarke told the court that there is a conspiracy of people with financial and personal grudges against him who engineered his downfall because they could not bear to see him receive a Bafta award. Mrs Justice Steyn is set to hand down her ruling at 10.30am on Friday. Advertisement The trial of the libel claim was held from early March to early April at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Clarke, who has previously appeared in TV shows including Doctor Who, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Bulletproof, gave evidence over several days. At one stage, he appeared visibly emotional as he claimed the publisher had 'smashed my life'. He said: 'They have smashed my life for four years with this rubbish, this nonsense. Four years.' Advertisement He continued: 'I did not do this, I would not do this. I have got children. This is not true.' He later said that while he was 'a flawed guy', he added: 'The reason I stand here four years later is I am not what they have branded me.' Philip Williams, representing the actor, said that his client was a 'casualty' of a media 'purge' following the emergence of the MeToo movement. He continued that Clarke was made a 'scapegoat' and was an 'easy target' because he was at the height of his success when the media industry 'zealously sought to correct itself'. Advertisement The barrister also criticised the Guardian's investigation, saying the newspaper 'manifestly failed to do its job properly'.Mr Williams asked the court to find the claim successful, saying the Guardian's reporting has caused serious harm to Clarke's career, with 'continuing hostile reactions online and in public discourse'. Gavin Millar KC, for GNM, said there is 'not a shred of evidence' to support Clarke's claim of a conspiracy, describing it as 'nonsensical and rather desperate speculation'. He said Clarke has a 'very clear motive to lie' because he 'stands to lose a great deal'. In written submissions, Mr Millar said Clarke 'used his power to prey on and harass female colleagues' over a period of 15 years. Advertisement He said: 'This was a careful and thorough investigation conducted conscientiously by Guardian journalists who were aware of the potential pitfalls. 'They received information from a wide range of sources with direct evidence of misconduct and in each case carefully considered and tested the information they were given, electing to publish only such information as they believed was credible.'


The Sun
23 minutes ago
- The Sun
Cops hunt man who attacked girl, 5, at busy Glasgow train station
A MANHUNT has been launched after a five-year-old girl was assaulted by a stranger at a train station. Cops were called to Glasgow Central Station following reports of the incident around 4:30pm on Saturday, July 12. 1 The man is described as white, around 5ft 8in, of slim build, with black, messy hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt and dark trousers. British Transport Police (BTP) said the man and elderly woman are believed to have boarded a train to Dalmuir, West Dunbartonshire. Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information, to come forward and assist the investigation by texting BTP on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 453 of 12 July.