Conservationists in the United Kingdom have been striving to safeguard a rare bird species, the Montagu’s harrier, from disappearing completely. The recent success in preserving the British population of these birds can be largely credited to a remarkably productive male known as AU, who has fathered 16 offspring, including 10 in the last two years.
Mark Thomas, a conservationist leading the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), highlighted AU’s significant role in sustaining the species in the U.K. He described AU as the linchpin holding up the population of Montagu’s harriers in the country.
Montagu’s harriers are migratory birds that breed in Europe after spending their winters in Africa and parts of Asia. While globally their numbers are declining, they are classified as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. In the U.K., the RSPB notes a rapid decline in their population, with a history of fluctuating breeding pairs over the decades.
AU’s mating success in 2025 and 2026 has been pivotal in boosting the species. His acrobatic displays and courtship rituals attracted multiple females, resulting in successful nesting and the birth of six chicks this year. The hope is that AU’s offspring, particularly his male offspring from 2025, will return to the U.K. in the future to continue the breeding cycle.
To protect the new hatchlings, conservationists have secured their nests at a secret location on a British farm. Barriers have been erected to shield the chicks from potential threats. Additionally, satellite trackers have been attached to two juvenile harriers for the first time, enabling researchers to monitor their migration patterns and potential return to the U.K.
The tracking of these juvenile birds offers valuable insight into their survival and breeding habits, providing conservationists with crucial data for ongoing protection efforts. This innovative approach represents a significant milestone in the conservation of Montagu’s harriers in the U.K.