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All three disappearances have occurred shortly before the start of the shooting season for Red Grouse, a time when grouse numbers are at their peak. Hen Harriers are a protected species known for their acrobatic courtship displays. The Hen Harrier is classified as a red-listed species in the UK due to its low population levels.

One of the missing Hen Harriers is Apollo, who has migrated from Bowland, Lancashire to Extrremadura, Spain twice in the past two years. His brother Dynamo, on the other hand, has traveled less than 50 miles during the same period.

Martha, a one-year-old female Hen Harrier, was tagged at Mar Lodge in Aberdeenshire. She moved to Northumberland and her last transmission was recorded from Westburnhope Moor near Hexham in the North Pennines.

Selena, a juvenile female, was tagged in Bowland and had recently moved to the Yorkshire Dales before her last transmission from Mossdale Moor near Hawes.

Hepit, another young female, was also tagged in Bowland and had relocated to the Yorkshire Dales. Her final transmission was recorded from Birkdale Common near Kirkby Stephen, where nine other satellite-tagged Hen Harriers have disappeared or been found dead with injuries suggestive of persecution.

The RSPB’s chief executive, Beccy Speight, expressed concern over the high number of Hen Harriers going missing on driven grouse moors in such a short span of time. She emphasized that it is crucial to prevent these incidents if Hen Harriers are to maintain a sustainable population in England.

All three cases have been reported to the police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). If anyone has information regarding the killing of birds of prey and wishes to report it anonymously, they can contact the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline at 0300 999 0101.

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