Hen harriers feature on new conservation stamp

A painting of a pair of hen harriers flying over open moorland has been revealed as the artwork on this year’s Wildlife Habitat Trust (WHT) conservation stamp.

Painted by leading wildlife artist Simon Turvey, the male and female hen harriers were painted at the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire.

This year’s unveiling also comes with the announcement that all the money raised from the sale of the stamps will go directly towards supporting hen harrier conservation. This sum will go alongside the £4,800 grant awarded by the Wildlife Habitat Charitable Trust this month to Swinton Estate for hen harrier surveillance cameras.

Paul Williamson, WHT secretariat and BASC’s head of land management, said: “The WHT was thrilled when Simon accepted the 2021 habitat stamp artwork commission. Simon is a renowned wildlife artist and has previously been secretary to the Society of Wildlife Artists.

“Choosing the hen harrier as the subject illustrates BASC’s and the WHT’s positivity towards their recovery. Our organisations are committed to the conservation of hen harriers and other raptors across the UK.

Discussing hen harriers in an interview for BASC’s Shooting and Conservation magazine, Simon said: “I get there’s an element of controversy for some people; however, this is not about promoting game shooting but promoting the conservation of landscapes, in particular moorlands.”