As Pete searches in vein in the suitcase for his lost youth (sporting a rather fetching hat I must say), the 2009 Hen Harrier Project is rocking and rolling and cooking with gas!!!

Tomorrow its lights, camera, action as we will share the first footage of the Bowland Hen Harrier Project 2009 at the Bowland Visitor Centre, Beacon Fell. Our presenter David will be on hand from 10am to share all the latest news as well as everything you would want to know about Hen Harriers and the Bowland project.

Pete, Stephen and Richard installed the camera on the nest yesterday evening and wait for it ....... it worked! Phew - not only is the weather truly shining upon us but the technology gods love us to!

I can think of nothing better on a glorious summers day to take a leisurely drive upto Beacon Fell enjoying some of the best scenary Lancashire has to offer. When you get there, take some shade in the cool visitor centre and catch a very rare glimpse of this stunning bird of prey. The Bowland Cafe is open every day and sell some rather fine icecream - quite possibly the perfect day!

Whilst the weather this morning was a bit grim, this afternoon the glorious sun shone down on Bowland. Not only is the sun shining on us, but the technology gods have equally been kind (those who will remember last years project will be all too familiar with that particular technological saga!!).

The nest has been identified, the technology is in place (working and everything - hooray!!!) Mum is new to us in that she is not wing tagged so I have no information regarding her. She has laid 4 eggs and Pete (or should I say Mystic Meg) advises that the first egg should hatch on Saturday 30th May (I don't know how he knows, just jolly impressed that he does).

We have decided to start filming the nest from Friday 29th May and the first screening at the Bowland Visitor Centre, Beacon Fell will start on Sunday 31st May. The screenings will only be available for about 5-6 weeks every day at the centre from 10am. We are very lucky to have a small army of volunteer presenters who are all too happy to share with you their impressive knowledge and enthusiasm for the Hen Harrier. So please do take advantage of this very unique and priveledged insight into this rare, enigmatic and fascinating bird of prey.

Well this is it the first day of my regular witterings on the latest happenings of the Bowland Hen Harrier. Today I share the sentiments of the late Jim Morrison when he stated "I am, to a degree, just a puppet, controlled by a lot of forces I understand only vaguely."

So with this in mind I must let you into a secret (that if you become a regular reader will become all too obvious). I write this blog with a cursory level of knowledge in respect to Hen Harriers or in fact birds in general. I mean I can tell you the difference between a bird and say a sheep, but my ignorance on the subject is all too transparent.

I hope that this ignorance does not detract from your enjoyment of this blog and that you will join me on a journey of discovery, learning all about this fascinating bird of prey,the progress of her nest and chicks as the weeks unfold; as I do have a cunning plan (a plan so cunning if it had a tail it would be a fox! - thank you Black Adder)

Despite my personal failings I am priveldged on this project to work with two people whose expertise and knowledge regarding Hen Harriers is amazing. Pete Wilson from the RSPB and Stephen Murphy from Natural England both Hen Harrier afficionado's who I will rely upon heavily in the writing of this blog.

So grab yourself a cuppa and keep logging on and follow the activity over the next 6 weeks. Post a comment and ask me anything, I will do my best to find the answer for you. Cx

Welcome

Well a very warm welcome to the 2009 Bowland Hen Harrier Project Blog. In partnership with RSPB, Natural England and United Utilities, Lancashire County Councils Countryside Service is playing host to the Bowland Hen Harrier Project at the Bowland Visitor Centre, Beacon Fell.

Continuous footage of a Hen Harrier nest in the Bowland Fells can be viewed seven days a week at the Visitor Centre on Beacon Fell Country Park near Preston.

Volunteers and staff from the Lancashire Countryside Service will be available every day from 10am – 4pm to talk to visitors about what the birds are doing and the Hen Harrier project in Bowland.

Viewing is possible 10.00 am to 5.00pm every day, the Bowland café is also open for drinks and light snacks.

The unedited footage comes from a hidden camera which will be shown on the big screen at the Bowland Visitor Centre. Viewing starts on Monday 25th May and will run until the young have left the nest around the end of June.

Daily updates on the bird and her chicks progress will be posted on our blog - so save us to your favourites list.

We look forward to seeing you at Beacon Fell where you will enjoy unique footage of this magnificent and rare bird.