⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–30 Management Plan landing page.
Work with moorland managers and other key stakeholders to devise and implement a local approach to end illegal persecution of raptors, including independent and scientifically robust monitoring, and co-ordinated Hen Harrier nest and winter roost site protection.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: Details in the 2025 Evidence Report highlight the difficulties in assessing the status of bird of prey populations using the existing mechanisms in place. Between 2007 and 2017, no hen harrier chicks fledged in the National Park. Since there, there had been a marked increase in nesting attempts – reaching 15 in 2023 – and in the numbers of chicks fledged. However, there were no nesting attempts at all in 2024.
In terms of persecution incidents, comparison from year to year is difficult. However, there have been confirmed incidents in each year since 2019. The most up-to-date information publicly available is for 2023 when there were three further incidents.
Press Releases & related articles:
9 September 2025 – 2024 Bird of Prey Evidence Report Published by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
13 August 2025 – National Park Authority to pursue different approach to bird of prey persecution
15 April 2024 – 2022/23 Bird of Prey Evidence Report Published by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
1 December 2023 – Reaction to the RSPB Birdcrime Report
5 May 2023 – Response to the death of ‘Free’, a Natural England tagged hen harrier
4 May 2023 – Second Bird of Prey Evidence Report Published by Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey Partnership
15 December 2022 – The Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey Partnership Reaction to the Whernside Raptor Persecution Incident
23 March 2022 – First Bird of Prey Evidence Report Published by Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey Partnership
27 October 2021 – Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Reaction To RSPB Birdcrime Report 2020
16 August 2021 – Kicking to see what’s alive: wildlife surveys carried out
11 March 2021 – Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Strongly Condemn Recent Shootings of Birds of Prey
9 September 2020 – More Hen Harriers Being Bred While Raptor Persecution Continues
Rationale: There were no successful breeding pairs of Hen Harrier in the National Park between 2007 and 2017. Populations of other important raptor species (e.g. Peregrine and Goshawk) remain much lower than might be expected. There have been regular instances of raptor persecution in the National Park. Illegal persecution of raptors was one of the most commonly raised issues in the public consultation.
Lead partner: Natural England
Supporting partners: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; North Yorkshire Police; Cumbria Police; Lancashire Police; Moorland Association; British Association for Shooting and Conservation; Northern England Raptor Forum
Further information: YDNPA – Wildlife Crime; YDNPA Bird of Prey evidence report
Cost over 5 years: £400,000
Funding shortfall: None
Ecosystem services: Biodiversity; Sense of place and inspiration
Trade-offs: There is evidence that a prevalence of birds of prey can have impacts on the productivity of grouse moors. e.g. Such impacts will be managed in accordance with the Defra policy on brood management.
Baseline: 1 pair of nesting hen harriers in 2017/18.