Hen harrier success in Northumberland

Recently, I looked up online how many hen harriers had bred in England this year, expecting to find low numbers, like last year, but I had a very good surprise when I looked at the sight; apparently, 10 chicks have fledged at a site in Northumberland from three successful nests.  The pairs in the area had seven attempts, but only three nests were successful.   This is a major achievement for this rare bird of prey.   They have been heavily persecuted, mainly because they eat grouse chicks, and the gamekeepers usually poison or shoot the adults, unfortunately.  Hardly any chicks were successful in England last year, so I’m really happy that they’ve bred this year.  And the chicks are just so cute!