A BIG crowd of bird lovers turned out to hear TV naturalist Chris Packham talk about hen harriers.

Mr Packham was speaking at Arne Nature Reserve to mark Hen Harrier Day 2017, a bid to end the illegal killing of hen harriers in particular and birds of prey in general, which have led to a substantial population decline.

Tony Whitehead, speaking for the RSPB in the South West, said: "It was great to see over 500 people gather at RSPB Arne to listen to impassioned speeches by Chris Packham and RSPB England Director Chris Corrigan on the urgent need to end the illegal persecution of hen harriers on and around intensively managed grouse moors.

"Despite the ongoing problems, there was however optimism that, with such widespread support, a real change could be made, and that within a decade we could start to see these birds recover their former populations."

Mr Packham said: "Raptor persecution is a crime, pure and simple, and it robs the UK of some its greatest natural treasures."