A NATIONAL spotlight on the plight of the hen harrier coincided with the start of this year's grouse shooting season.

Tuesday's Glorious Twelfth - the traditional start of grouse shooting - was preceded by national Hen Harrier Day, an event aimed at raising the profile of the country's most endangered bird of prey.

Organised by Birders Against Wildlife Crime, the event received the support of the RSPB and broadcaster and conservationist, Chris Packham.

Its supporters, also including the North West Raptor Protection Group, which held its own peaceful protest at Dunsop Bridge, near Clitheroe, say the relentless persecution of some gamekeepers employed on some shooting estates is responsible for the drastic decline in numbers of the birds.

But the Moorland Association (MA) says its battle to safeguard the country's heather moors has benefited endangered birds and its members support a crackdown on wildlife crimes in addition to a sustainable increase in the hen harrier population.

Robert Benson, MA chairman, said the country’s first hen harrier chicks for two years had recently fledged in North Lancashire, two of three successful nests on grouse managed land, producing 11 young.

Cumbria-based Mr Benson said globally recognised iconic heather moorland was rarer than rainforest and the UK had 75 per cent of what was left of it in the world.

“Its careful game management has seen significant gains in a number of at risk species," he said.

"Endangered lapwing, curlew, golden plover, ring ouzel, merlin, black grouse and grey partridge all fare far better on moorland with gamekeepers.”

Mr Benson said the hen harrier success was another notable milestone in a string of conservation gains.

“We have a vital part to play in stemming the decline of some of our most vulnerable birds.

“Without shooting income the consequences to wildlife - particularly the scarce ‘red listed’ breeds - would be severe.”

Meanwhile, moorlands specialist Adrian Thornton-Berry, of Farmoor Services in Leyburn, predicted a very good season for many moors in the Yorkshire Dales.

“The £67 million industry is responsible for over 1,500 jobs, as well as the remarkable gains for fauna and flora," he said.

“Shooting creates 42,500 days of work a year. With the prospects of a strong season, associated spin-offs will be in excess of £15 million, essential earnings in challenging economic times.

“So many people benefit, from the food industry to hoteliers, clothing manufacturers to dry stone wallers, the list is endless.”

Grouse shooting results in 700 full-time jobs, with a further 800 linked directly to the industry.

Shooting days can be held from August 12 until December 10, with the exception of Sundays.

Only the surplus population is shot ensuring a healthy wild breeding stock is left for the following year.

“Shooting usually stops well before the official end of the season, but every day is a bonus for the local economy,” added Mr Thornton-Berry.

“Despite the success of the breeding season, only a handful of those letting days on a commercial basis will break even due to the great costs involved in managing the moor.

“Working with Natural England, we are committed to restoring blanket bog habitats, damaged by wildfires, over-grazing and historic drainage, which is also mitigating the severe impact of climate change."

He claimed without grouse moor management, many moors would revert to scrub and forest.

“Moorland plants, animals and precious landscapes that attract millions of visitors a year would be lost," he said.