In the United Kingdom we’re lucky enough to live alongside fifteen species of raptor and four species of owl.
Thanks to the efforts of passionate volunteers and experts, the number of raptors in the UK is rising after dipping alarmingly in the 1970s, but some of our birds of prey are still at risk of becoming extinct from our shores.
Eagles
There are two species of eagle that call the UK home: the golden and the white-tailed. These awesome birds have the largest wingspans of any predatory bird in the UK. The golden eagle’s is 2.3m (7.5ft), and the white-tailed eagle’s is 2.4m (which is almost 8 foot!).
There are roughly 200 pairs of eagles living almost exclusively in north-west Scotland.
Other Birds of Prey
Other than eagles, the largest birds of prey in the UK are ospreys, buzzards, and red kites.
With a wingspan of around 1.8m, the osprey has a peppered black and white plumage and hunts in the lochs, glens and seas of Scotland. They eat medium-sized fish, smaller birds, snakes, and frogs.
Buzzards and red kites also frequent our skies. With wingspans of 1.4m and 2m respectively, these large birds can often be seen gliding and circling above their prey below. While buzzards are talented hunters, taking on a plethora of small mammals including voles, red kites are scavengers and prefer to feed on animals that have already passed.
The UK is also home to the infamous peregrine falcon, the sparrow hawk, kestrel, and other fascinating species.
Persecution
Although our birds of prey are agile and skilful, they often still fall prey to human poisoning and trapping.
Hen harriers are extremely rare due to illegal persecution and nest disturbance. Many of these birds are fitted with lightweight trackers, but instead of revealing important information about their behaviours and habitats, these tags have only proven just how rife persecution against this species is.
Free, a male hen harrier, had his head ripped off by human hands while he was still alive. Asta, a female, was killed; her tag being ripped from her and attached to a carrion crow to trick authorities. In North Yorkshire, a nest was purposefully trampled by a human, killing four healthy chicks. These are only a handful of incidences that have taken place across the UK in recent years.
Grouse moor landscape is managed for grouse shooting and funded primarily by private investment. Hen harries prey on grouse and nest within the thick heather that this habitat provides and are therefore prime targets for self-interested, greedy individuals who want to keep driven grouse hunting (itself a cruel and outdated “sport”) alive.
What can we do to help?
The RSPB have highlighted several ways that we can help hen harriers. Attend a Hen Harrier Day event, report any traces of crimes against birds that you see, speak out against illegal persecution, spread the word, and help fight for governmental licensing of grouse moors.
Britain’s birds of prey are beautiful and diverse. Let’s help to protect these wonderful creatures before it’s too late.
