PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Hen Harriers (6 January 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many hen harrier nests there were on (a) RSPB and (b) non-RSPB reserves in each of the last eight years; how many of those nests failed to have any chicks fledge; and what the causes of each of those nest failures were.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

Over the last eight years there have been four hen harrier nests on RSPB reserves (all Geltsdale).

Based on information held by Natural England, the nest in 2015 may have failed due to the disappearance of the breeding male. In 2016 there was one successful nest, and in 2020 two nesting attempts failed, likely due to the disappearance of the breeding male.

On non-RSPB reserves, based on information held by Natural England, there were:

• Two nesting attempts in 2013, one likely failed due to female disappearance or desertion and the other was found to have abnormal eggs.
• Four successful nests in 2014.
• Six successful nests in 2015 and five failed nesting attempts. There were a number of reasons for the failed nests. One was thought to be predated, three may have failed due to the disappearance of the breeding males, and one unknown.
• Two successful nests in 2016.
• Three successful nests in 2017 and four failed nesting attempts. Three nests were thought to be predated, and one likely failed due to poor weather conditions.
• Nine successful nests in 2018 and five failed nesting attempts. Three were thought to be predated, and two were deserted.
• Twelve successful nests in 2019, and three failed nesting attempts. These nests likely failed due to poor weather conditions.
• Nineteen successful nests in 2020, and three failed nesting attempts. Two of these nests were abandoned and one likely failed due to predation.

Answered by:
Rebecca Pow (Conservative)
15 January 2021