Conservationists have been diligently working to prevent a rare bird species from disappearing completely in the United Kingdom. Recent successful conservation efforts preserving the Montagu’s harrier population in Britain are largely credited to the remarkable breeding abilities of a particularly prolific male bird, referred to as AU. This 10-year-old male has fathered 16 offspring in his lifetime, with 10 born in the last two years, earning him the nickname “golden boy” for his significant contribution to sustaining his species in the UK.
Mark Thomas, the species lead for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), emphasized AU’s crucial role in supporting the Montagu’s harrier population in the UK, describing him as the primary force behind their conservation success.
Montagu’s harriers are migratory birds that winter in Africa and parts of Asia, returning to Europe to breed each spring. While their global population is declining, British Montagu’s harriers have faced rapid declines, nearing extinction in the country. The species, once thriving with around 30 breeding pairs in the 1950s, plummeted to zero pairs in the 1970s before gradually recovering to 13 pairs in the mid-2000s. However, another decline followed, with zero breeding pairs reported between 2000 and 2003.
Thomas expressed the urgency to safeguard the current Montagu’s harrier population in the UK, noting the positive developments in recent years as a cause for optimism.
AU’s successful breeding season in 2025 was followed by another productive year, during which he attracted the attention of three female harriers, leading to the birth of six chicks with two mates. Conservationists are hopeful that AU’s offspring, particularly his sons, will return to the UK for breeding in the future, contributing to the species’ preservation.
To protect the new hatchlings, the RSPB has established secure nesting sites in undisclosed locations on British farmland, implementing barriers to shield the chicks from potential threats. The organization collaborates closely with farmers to ensure the safety of the nests and chicks, given the species’ nesting preferences and vulnerabilities to agricultural activities.
In a new initiative, the RSPB has equipped two juvenile Montagu’s harriers from each nest with satellite trackers, enabling researchers to monitor their migration patterns and potential return to the UK for breeding. This tracking method provides valuable insights into the birds’ movements and behaviors, aiding conservation efforts and ensuring the preservation of the Montagu’s harrier population in the UK.