Conservationists in the United Kingdom have been dedicated to preserving a rare bird species known as the Montagu’s harrier. Recent progress in safeguarding the British population of these birds can be largely credited to the exceptional breeding abilities of a single male bird named AU. Mark Thomas, a conservationist with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), highlighted AU’s remarkable success in fathering 16 offspring, with 10 of them born in the past two years.
Montagu’s harriers are migratory raptors that winter in Africa and parts of Asia before returning to Europe for breeding. While their global population is declining, the species is listed as of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. In the U.K., the RSPB reports a rapid decline in the already scarce bird population, with a peak of 30 breeding pairs in the 1950s dropping to zero in the ’70s before a slight recovery to 13 pairs in the mid-2000s. However, there was another significant decline with zero breeding pairs reported between 2000 and 2003.
AU’s breeding success has been a crucial factor in the species’ survival in the U.K. After producing four chicks in 2025, AU returned the following year to engage in elaborate mating displays, attracting the attention of several females. This year, three females vied for AU’s affections, resulting in two successful nests with six chicks, providing hope for the species’ future.
Conservationists are optimistic that AU’s offspring, particularly his sons, may return to the U.K. to breed. Two male offspring from a previous year have already been sighted in the country, although they are not yet of breeding age. Efforts are being made to protect the new hatchlings in two nests located in a confidential area on a British farm.
To monitor the young birds’ movements and potential return to the U.K., the RSPB has fitted two juvenile Montagu’s harriers with satellite trackers for the first time. This tracking initiative aims to gather valuable data on their migration patterns and nesting habits, offering insights into their survival and breeding behavior. This innovative approach represents a significant step in the conservation efforts for the Montagu’s harrier species.