It is distressing to have to pass on the news of the disappearance of a satellite-tagged hen harrier (‘Marc’) in the North Pennines.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership said: “The disappearance of a satellite-tagged hen harrier in Teesdale is really dispiriting news. The transmitters such as that fitted to this bird are very reliable; though it’s possible that there’s been some sort of failure of the device, past experience across the northern uplands suggests that a crime may well have taken place. Illegal persecution remains the primary reason why these majestic birds are a rare sight in our uplands. The public should be in no doubt that the killing of harriers and all raptors is a shameful, criminal act and if that’s what’s happened here and someone knows something about it, I’d urge them contact the police now”.