The hen harrier is a priority species for conservation in the UK. Encouraging more people to learn about, experience and value hen harriers is important to safeguard these beautiful birds. 

The Skydancer project set out to win hearts and minds by providing diverse conservation, education and interpretation opportunities for communities. Activities took place in the three English upland areas where the birds have most recently bred – the Forest of Bowland, RSPB Geltsdale nature reserve and North Tynedale in Northumberland. 

There is sufficient habitat to support hen harriers in these areas, but continued interference with the species has affected the population. The support of local people is vital to securing a future for these birds. 

Consultation work with communities confirmed that many people valued hen harriers as part of their natural heritage, welcoming opportunities to learn more about these birds and help protect them. 

However, it also revealed some hostility towards the birds from those who saw them as a threat to businesses. Working closely with landowners and game organisations helped find solutions. 

The consultation work identified five main activity themes for the project, which include: 

• raising awareness of hen harriers through education and publicity 
• providing new information and activities for communities 
• facilitating dialogue between local people 
• running conservation work 

Feedback and experience from other species-led projects across the UK was used to develop 31 activities that would engage with 8,000 people across the three project areas. The project has so far exceeded expectations and has already engaged with over 11,000 people face to face, with many others engaged through social media. 

The activities aimed to create an emotional response that would help prevent hen harrier persecution. Families were given new opportunities to explore the landscape. The project inspired young people to get involved and used technology to engage more people without increasing risk of disturbance to the birds. 

Finally the project helped communities learn that hen harriers are an important component of healthy, vibrant moorlands.