THE RSPB has launched a new five year programme to help protect one of the UK’s most threatened, beautiful and spectacular birds of prey, the hen harrier.

The move comes just months after police investigated the death of a hen harrier near Muirkirk that left two chick orphaned.

The remains of the female hen harrier were found in June in moorland close to the village, which was declared a special protection area in 2003 in order to help guard these rare birds.

The new European Union supported project has been launched by the RSPB aims to achieve a secure and sustainable future of the species.

Focusing on seven Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated for breeding hen harriers in southern and eastern Scotland and northern England, the European-funded Hen Harrier LIFE+ Project is an ambitious five-year programme of direct conservation action and community engagement.

The project is unique in being the first truly cross-border, joint Scottish-English initiative for this species.

Scotland currently holds the bulk of the UK breeding population of this species, mostly on Orkney, the Hebrides and parts of the western mainland.

Between 2004 and 2010 there was a 20 per cent decline in hen harriers across Scotland, according to the National Hen Harrier Survey. Whilst this year was good for hen harrier productivity they continue to face serious threats such as the incident in Muirkirk.

Blánaid Denman, manager of the Hen Harrier LIFE+ Project, said: “Hen harriers are in dire straits. Numbers are declining dramatically and urgent action is needed, which is why this European Union-funded project is both welcome and timely.

“The cross-border project provides a huge boost to our efforts to monitor and protect hen harriers. Working together with volunteers and other organisations, we’ll have more eyes and ears on the hills than ever before, using satellite tagging, winter roost monitoring and nest protection to deter persecution, identify the important areas for these birds and highlight where they’re most at risk. Building on the success of our award-winning Skydancer Project in England this new project will enable us to share the stories of these remarkable birds with a wider audience than ever before.” Professor Des Thompson, Principal Adviser on Biodiversity in Scottish Natural Heritage, commented: “In parts of the UK the state of the hen harrier population is perilous. This collaborative project offers a lifeline in securing key evidence on what is working well and badly for these birds.”