Conservation efforts have been ongoing to safeguard a rare bird species from extinction in the United Kingdom. The recent progress in protecting the Montagu’s harrier population in Britain can be largely credited to a highly successful male bird named AU, according to conservationist Mark Thomas.
AU, a 10-year-old male known for his exceptional breeding abilities, has fathered 16 offspring, with 10 born in the last two years alone. Thomas, who leads the species conservation at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), described AU as the key figure sustaining the species in the UK.
Montagu’s harriers are migratory birds that winter in Africa and parts of Asia before returning to Europe for breeding each spring. While the global population of these birds is declining, they are categorized as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
In the UK, the Montagu’s harrier population has been rapidly decreasing, with only 13 breeding pairs reported in the mid-aughts after hitting zero in the 1970s. AU’s successful breeding efforts have been vital in the species’ survival in the country.
The recent breeding season saw AU engaging in elaborate mating displays, attracting the attention of three females. Ultimately, two females nested with him, resulting in six chicks – four female and two male. Conservationists are optimistic that AU’s male offspring will return to the UK for breeding in the future, as two from 2025 have already been sighted in the country.
The newborn chicks are carefully protected in two nests located in a confidential spot on a British farm. Researchers have erected barriers around the nests to shield the chicks from predators and other dangers. The RSPB is closely monitoring the young birds by attaching satellite trackers to two juveniles, aiming to track their migration patterns and breeding behaviors.
By employing this new tracking method, conservationists hope to gather valuable data on the birds’ movements and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Montagu’s harrier population in the UK.