The Northumberland Hen Harrier Protection Partnership has revealed that six hen harrier chicks have successfully fledged from two nests on the public forest estate in Northumberland.
Four hen harrier chicks fledged from the first nest and two fledged from the second nest.
Last year eight young successfully fledged from two nests.
These are the first hen harrier nests in the area for more than 10 years and they are managed by the Forestry Commission.
Andrew Miller, chair of the Northumberland Hen Harrier Protection Partnership, said, “Hen harriers are one of our most threatened species and will only be helped back from the brink of extinction in England with the assistance of all of our upland land managers and partners.”
After the hen harrier nests were discovered there was co-ordinated nest monitoring.
Cameras on the nests were installed by the RSPB and a dedicated team of raptor conservation volunteers.
Specialists from the partnership and wildlife experts worked together to watch the birds.
The youngsters have all been checked and ringed by an ornithologist.
Two chicks, one male and one female, at each nest were fitted with satellite tags supplied and fitted by the RSPB Hen Harrier LIFE Project and Natural England.
The satellite tags will assist in monitoring the progress of the chicks and the public will be able to follow their movements online at www.rspb.org.uk/henharrierlife
