Hen harriers are close to being wiped out as a breeding bird in England, with just one pair showing signs of nesting this year, a wildlife charity said.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said none are trying to nest in Lancashire's Bowland Fells, their only recent English stronghold.
Only four nesting pairs raised chicks last year, all in Bowland.
The RSPB claim the bird has suffered from illegal persecution by gamekeepers on shooting estates.
It said the problem is particularly bad in areas with grouse moors, because the bird is a predator of the game bird.
The RSPB said last year's breeding in Bowland had been helped by landowner United Utilities, who tried to support the birds of prey on their estates.
Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-18064096
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said none are trying to nest in Lancashire's Bowland Fells, their only recent English stronghold.
Only four nesting pairs raised chicks last year, all in Bowland.
The RSPB claim the bird has suffered from illegal persecution by gamekeepers on shooting estates.
It said the problem is particularly bad in areas with grouse moors, because the bird is a predator of the game bird.
The RSPB said last year's breeding in Bowland had been helped by landowner United Utilities, who tried to support the birds of prey on their estates.
Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-18064096