UK's rarest bird of prey breeds successfully in secret location
Six Montagu's harrier chicks fledged in conservation success story
1Breeding success for rare raptors
Montagu's harriers, the UK's rarest birds of prey, have successfully bred for the second consecutive year at the same secret location. A male bird (coded AU) mated with two females, raising six chicks across two nests. While nine successful nests were recorded in 2011, no breeding evidence was found between 2020-2024.
2Conservation efforts pay off
RSPB and farmers collaborated to protect nests with special fencing, preventing access by ground predators like foxes. The male bird worked tirelessly to feed chicks in both nests. The BBC documented unique feeding behavior: the male drops prey mid-air while females perform mid-air catches by flipping upside down.
3Population decline factors
These long-winged raptors winter in Africa and return to Europe for summer breeding. Listed as endangered in the UK since 2021, climate change has shifted harvest seasons earlier, exposing ground nests to farm machinery. This year's harvest began a month early, significantly increasing nest destruction risks.
4Satellite tracking breakthrough
RSPB fitted satellite tags on two chicks for the first time. Mark Thomas explains this will reveal migration routes, African wintering durations, and return patterns to the UK. Juvenile behavior post-fledging remains largely unknown. The data will be crucial for developing targeted conservation strategies.
5Agricultural landscape challenges
Montagu's harriers conceal nests in crop fields, creating conflicts with farming activities. Through farmer partnerships, RSPB identifies nest locations for protection measures. While four chicks fledged here in 2023, this year saw six successful fledglings, marking steady progress in conservation efforts.
6Citizen science appeal
Conservationists urge birdwatchers to report sightings of juvenile harriers to [email protected]. Every observation is critical for monitoring the UK's last remaining population. Survival rates of young birds remain poorly understood, making public contributions invaluable for research.
7Climate change impacts
Thomas emphasizes how climate change exacerbates threats through earlier harvests and shifting prey populations. Satellite data will quantify these impacts along migration routes. Habitat losses in both breeding and wintering grounds present long-term challenges for this already vulnerable species.
8Conservation biology milestone
Montagu's harriers have become flagship species for UK raptor conservation. Successful breeding and satellite tracking represent hope for endangered species. RSPB's work demonstrates possible coexistence between agriculture and wildlife. The collected data will inform Europe-wide conservation policies.
Original article: BBC News — İngiltere'nin en nadir yırtıcı kuşu gizli bölgede yavruladı