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”.
If you have any information relating to this incident (ref 163 2022018), call Durham Constabulary on 101 or the confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101. All calls are anonymous.
More information – Durham Police Press Release and RSPB Press Release