Protective wing of conservation scheme

Conservationists are preparing to launch a hard-hitting campaign aimed at protecting underthreat hen harriers.

The campaign, which will lobby the Scottish Government for tougher hunting laws, will be launched at RSPB Scotland’s Loch Leven nature reserve near Kinross this weekend.

Tayside and Central Scotland Raptor Study Groups have organised the Hen Harrier Weekend to raise awareness of the birds’ continued persecution in Scotland.

Members hope to drum up support for a new petition, demanding urgent action to introduce a state regulated system of licensing of gamebird hunting.

Speakers at the event will include RSPB Scotland director Stuart Housden.

Lobby groups believe some of the birds are being killed on grouse moors because they feed on wild red grouse and their chicks.

A spokesman for the Kinross campaign said: “Historically, the hen harrier was a widespread bird of prey across Scotland.”

He said changes to agricultural land had resulted in the loss of many lowland breeding sites.

“This was followed by a period of ruthless human persecution during the 1800s, as the Victorian passion for the Scottish sporting estate developed,” he said. “The result of this was that by the turn of the 20th Century our hen harrier population was limited to Orkney.”

The Loch Leven event runs until 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, August 6 and 7.

Hen harriers are persecuted.