Mystery as birds of prey 'vanish' from Forest of Bowland

[annie]

by Jon Robinson, Reporter 


EXPERTS fear that a pair of iconic Lancashire birds could be lost forever after they vanished without a trace.

The female birds, named Sky and Hope, were among nine chicks to fledge from two nests on the United Utilities Bowland Estate in The Forest of Bowland earlier this year.
They were among the first hen harrier chicks to fledge in England since 2012.

The birds were fitted with lightweight solar-powered satellite tags, designed to operate for around three years, but both tags have stopped transmitting.




Sky's signal stopped suddenly on Wednesday, September 10, when data suggested she was roosting, while Hope's last known location was sent on Saturday, September 13.

The RSBP think it is unlikely the loss of their transmissions is due to technical failure.

The hen harrier has been pushed to the brink of extinction as a breeding bird in England as a result of historic persecution, and ongoing targeting of the birds because they prey on red grouse.

In July, schoolchildren from Brennard’s Endowed Primary School in Slaidburn adopted and named the birds.

Project manager Blanaid Denman said: “We are holding out hope but it’s increasingly unlikely that they will be found safe and well.

.



 
PROMOTED STORIES

• 6 things seriously wrong with Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus - Recombu (Recombu)


• Where is the gold price heading to now? (MoneyWeek)


• Paul Gascoigne spotted for first time after being taken to hospital (OK!)


• Anthea Turner splits with Dragon's Den star Richard Farleigh after a year of dating (OK!)


• Swearing Ice Bucket Challenge toddler: Family speak about THAT video (AOL Parentdish)


• Men Who Cheated With Someone Less Attractive (MadameNoire)


Recommended by 
.
“Out staff are searching the areas around their last known locations and we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.”

Bob Elliot, RSPB head of investigations, said: “In our experience, this satellite technology is normally very reliable and it is rare for them to fail for technological reasons.

“Losing two birds in such a short time frame and in the same geographical area is strange.”

The RSPB is offering a £1,000 reward for information about the birds, and their disappearance has been reported to Lancashire Police.

Anyone with information should call the RSPB's confidential hotline on 0845 466 3636 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... f_Bowland/