THE hunt is on this yuletide to track down one of England's rarest breeding birds.

Staff working on the RSPB Birds of Bowland project are asking people out enjoying themselves in the countryside over the Christmas and New Year period to keep their eyes peeled for hen harriers born and bred in the Forest of Bowland.

Any sightings will help provide important information on where hen harriers go over the winter and how well they survive.

Both the RSPB and English Nature monitor the small and seriously endangered English breeding population in Lancashire.

As part of this work, David Sowter, an experienced local raptor enthusiast, is carrying out research into their movements and survival rates.

He has been fitting young birds with coloured wing-tags on both wings, with an identification number or letter on each tag so individual birds can be recognised.

Peter Wilson, the RSPB's Bowland project officer, said: "While people are out in the countryside during the festive period, perhaps trying out their new binoculars, I'd ask them to keep an eye open for hen harriers.

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

"Even sightings where only one wing tag is seen are useful."

There were only 22 hen harrier nesting attempts in England this year. Of these, only eight were successful, resulting in the fledging of 26 young - 10 of which came from nests monitored by the RSPB on the United Utilities Bowland estate.

Reports of sightings, together with information about the wing-tags, date of sightings, location and habitat, should be made to David Sowter by ringing on 01772 749220 or 07957 265797 or, alternatively, by e-mailing davidsowter@freenet.co.uk