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Hen Harriers satellite tagged on Island

Severe decline in numbers prompts project

Two young Hen Harriers have been have been satellite-tagged on the Isle of Man as part of efforts across the British Isles to protect the species.

The birds - a female called Grayse and a male called Mannin - will form part of the ongoing Life Plus project, gathering data on the birds' seasonal movements and behaviour.

The project has been carried out against a background of a severe drop in Hen Harrier numbers in the British Isles in recent years, with some reports claiming the bird may become extinct in England in the near future.

Numbers on the Island have also seen a dramatic decline, dropping from a high of around 51 pairs in 1998 to just 29 last year.

Managing director of Manx Birdlife, Neil Morris, says the decline could be for a variety of reasons, but we must make sure the Island's population is properly monitored and protected.

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