A DISASTROUS year for one of England's rarest breeding birds, the hen harrier, has seen the majestic bird of prey stage a last stand in the Forest of Bowland - its only remaining breeding ground. Reporter ADRIAN WORSLEY braved the winter elements to find out why the hunt is now on to track down one of Lancashire's most important birds.

IF THE hardy hen harrier - used to making a living on bleak, northern moorland - thought it was time to seek shelter, then it must have been a miserable day.

Horizontal rain, freezing temperatures and an impenetrable rolling mist made spotting one of England's rarest birds a real flight of fantasy.

However, if we couldn't actually see one - and in these conditions you couldn't see a ravine until you fell into one - then my guide could at least describe why the hen harrier is so special to East Lancashire.

Pete Wilson is project manager for the RSPB's Birds of Bowland Project, set up in 2000 to monitor and ring rare birds.

He said: "The Forest of Bowland had around 10 breeding pairs this summer, which is by far the biggest breeding ground in England.

"It's a pity you won't see any today," he told me as we sheltered in his Land Rover perched on top of Croasdale Fell - remote moorland two miles from the RSPB base at Stocks Reservoir, near Slaidburn. "They like a bit of wind because it helps them glide just inches from the top of the heather, looking for voles, mice or grouse chicks. Quartering over the ground, with very little wing beats, they make for a spectacular sight."

Such sightings have dwindled in recent years. 2004 saw a decline in the breeding fortunes of the bird across the north of England, from 22 nesting attempts in five different areas in 2003 to just 10 nests in one area - the Forest of Bowland.

Eight of the successful nests were located on the United Utilities' Bowland estate, which stretches around 13 miles from Stocks Reserviour in the east to Chipping in the west. However, a record number of 25 chicks fledged from these nests this year.

The hen harrier has suffered in recent years because of more intensive farming methods on its favoured breeding grounds of remote moorland, plus illegal persecution by land owners. However, the Forest of Bowland has remained a stronghold as much of its moorland is preserved for grouse hunting and through the work of United Utilities, the RSPB and English Nature.

Now the RSPB Birds of Bowland project, sponsored by United Utilities, is asking people to keep their eyes peeled for the young hen harriers.

Any sightings of young birds born and bred in the Forest of Bowland will help provide important information on where hen harriers go over the winter and how well they survive.

Pete said: "If people do see one, they should have a close look at the wings, and if there are coloured tags on them note the colour of each one, and if they can, the number or letter."

Reports of sightings should be made to David Sowter, a bird of prey expert, on 01772 749220 or 07957 265797 or by emailing: davidsowter@freenet.co.uk.