MEMBERS of the public are being encouraged to keep an eye out for hen harriers, and report any sightings.

Coined as the 'Heads up for Harriers Project', the initiative, led by the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Scotland, working in tandem with Scottish National Heritage, will also involve trials of nest and roost cameras, and encourage land managers to maintain hen harrier friendly habitats.

CabSec for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “Hen harriers remain one of Scotland’s rarest and most spectacular birds of prey.

"As we are rapidly approaching the breeding season, it’s important to locate and record where these stunning birds are prospering in Scotland. I encourage anyone who is out in the countryside to take note of any hen harrier sighting and send it to SNH so they can be followed up by the team.”

Project chair, Professor Des Thompson, explained: "Last winter was the first time we asked for winter sightings of hen harriers from the public, and we’ve had an excellent response, with several potential new roosts identified.

“Numbers are low across much of mainland Scotland, so the more people looking out for these threatened birds, the better. This will help us build a complete picture of how hen harriers are doing across the country.”

The project will publish maps of sightings on its own web page, although these won’t be in enough detail to compromise their specific location. Cameras are being trialled at a winter roost to monitor the birds at a distance, and in the nesting season.

Moorland group director for Scottish Land and Estates, Tim Baynes, added: “As well as raising awareness of these birds and our members enabling cameras to monitor nests, we’re urging all land managers to follow the Muirburn Code when undertaking muirburn this spring.

“The burning of old, rank heather is an essential part of upland management to encourage new growth; however, it is important to keep a mosaic of old and young heather to benefit the widest range of wildlife, including nesting harriers, merlin, short-eared owl and other bird species.

“Late season muirburn can take place up to April 15 (or April 30, if authorised in writing by the land owner), which may impact on hen harrier nesting attempts. This will have most impact in areas which formerly and traditionally supported these birds – we want to see them return.

"If you see birds attempting to nest, you should avoid the area to prevent interfering with breeding activity and potentially committing an offence."

The public is asked to e-mail hen harrier sightings to HenHarrier@snh.gov.uk or to call 07767 671973. It’s best to include any details of places where birds are seen (a six-figure grid reference if possible), the time and date of the sighting, the sex of the bird and any notes on behaviour. For more information, go to: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/paw-scotland/what-you-can-do/hen-harriers