A PLAN to remove endangered hen harrier chicks from the wild in Lancashire has been rejected by the RSPB.

The organisation, which looks after one of England's most beleaguered birds of prey in the United Utilities Estate in the Forest of Bowland, objects to a suggestion for a new brood management plan.

The plan, set out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is part of the Hen Harrier Action Plan which is yet to be published in full.

The society has said that the immediate removal of chicks from the wild and rearing them in aviaries is 'unacceptable and legally ambiguous'.

A spokesman for the RSPB said that nine hen harriers fledged in Bowland this year, five in one nest and four in another.

However, two of the chicks were reported missing in September when their solar-powered satellite tags stopped transmitting and have still not been traced.

Out of the nine, the society believes that around two birds remain in the area alongside up to seven wintering birds in Bowland. They are thought to have come from Scotland or mainland Europe.

Martin Harper, RSPB conservation director, said: “The hen harrier is one of our most iconic birds of prey, but it is currently in danger of being lost from England and it needs urgent action to save it.

"Defra has worked hard with the shooting industry and conservation groups to produce a Hen Harrier Action Plan, and we believe that the workable parts of this plan must be published and implemented now to help save this bird of prey.

"We think the more contentious elements, for which there a plethora of unanswered questions, should go for public consultation, while the rest of the plan fulfils its purpose of protecting harriers.

"Brood management is worth considering once the hen harrier has returned to the hills and moors of England. But to do it early could see young birds released to their deaths."

The society has also pressurised Defra to publish 'workable elements' of the Hen Harrier Action Plan.

Mr Harper said: "Ministers are accountable for preventing the human-induced extinction of species, and the illegal persecution of the hen harrier is the main reason for this bird’s desperate plight.

"It surely makes sense to publish elements of the plan which has agreement.

"We’re urging government to recognise the urgency of this situation and implement a plan to save the harrier, so that hen harriers can once again be a regular feature of the skies above our moors.”