Hen harrier numbers soar

Breeding numbers of hen harriers are at their highest ever levels this year. Natural England says a ready food source in voles and good weather had contributed to 60 birds fledging across England over the summer. Stephen Murphy, manager of the Hen Harrier Recovery Project at Natural England, said: “These successful breeding figures are a testament to the work of forwardthinking estate managers, gamekeepers and the conservation organisations.”