Conservationists in the United Kingdom are striving to prevent the extinction of a rare bird species. According to Mark Thomas, a conservationist, the recent success in safeguarding the Montagu’s harrier population in Britain can be largely attributed to the exceptional breeding capabilities of one male bird known as AU. This 10-year-old male, dubbed the “golden boy,” has fathered 16 offspring, with 10 born in the last two years, significantly boosting the species’ numbers.
Montagu’s harriers are migratory birds that winter in Africa and parts of Asia before returning to Europe for breeding. While the global population of these birds is declining, they are listed as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. In the U.K., the population has faced rapid declines, with breeding pairs dropping from about 30 in the 1950s to zero in the ’70s, before a partial recovery to 13 in the mid-2000s. Following another decline with zero breeding pairs reported between 2000 and 2003, efforts to protect the existing birds have become crucial.
The successful breeding efforts of AU have been vital in revitalizing the Montagu’s harrier population in the U.K. After raising four chicks in 2025, AU returned in the following year to engage in elaborate mating displays, attracting the interest of several female birds. This year, three females vied for AU’s attention, leading to the nesting of two females with him and the birth of six chicks, offering hope for the species’ future.
Conservationists are optimistic that AU’s male offspring will eventually return to the U.K. to breed, with two from 2025 already sighted in the country. The new hatchlings are carefully protected in two nests located on a British farm, with only select individuals aware of their exact location. Special barriers have been set up to shield the chicks from predators and other risks.
Montagu’s harriers typically nest in lowland areas such as marshes and river plains, sometimes resorting to farmland when suitable habitats are scarce. To safeguard the chicks nesting in farmland, the RSPB collaborates closely with farmers to ensure their protection.
In a new initiative, the RSPB has fitted two juvenile Montagu’s harriers with satellite trackers for the first time. This technology will enable researchers to monitor the birds’ migration patterns and potentially locate their nests if they return to the U.K. for breeding. This innovative tracking approach is expected to provide valuable insights into the behavior and movements of these young birds.