Report your Hen Harrier sightings

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is asking eagle-eyed readers to get in touch if they know of any hen harrier nests.

Karen Couper, Ecological Advisor at the CNPA explained: “We are looking for young birds to satellite tag for the raptor track project and we hope to satellite tag various species of raptors including hen harrier and peregrine falcon. If members of the public have seen hen harriers whilst out walking or know of any hen harriers that are nesting near their home or any other location for that matter, I would encourage them to get in touch with me.”

Hen harriers are a rare species within the Cairngorms National Park and are on the red list of species of conservation concern. They are legally protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and listed on Annex 1 of the Directive 79/409/EEC1 on the Conservation of Wild Birds.

The project will provide more information on the raptors within the National Park and it is planned that the flight information of the raptors will be made available to the public on a website which will be organised in the future. Schools and community groups are also likely to be involved as the project develops.

To report your sightings, please contact Karen Couper, Ecological Advisor at the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Telephone: 01479 870516 or  by email