Conservationists have been diligently working to prevent a rare bird species from disappearing in the United Kingdom. The recent success in safeguarding the Montagu’s harrier population in Britain can be largely credited to one exceptionally prolific male bird, as stated by conservationist Mark Thomas.
Referred to as AU, which symbolizes gold, the 10-year-old male has fathered a total of 16 offspring, with 10 born in the past two years. Thomas, the species lead at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), emphasized AU’s vital role in sustaining the species in the UK.
Montagu’s harriers are migratory birds that winter in Africa and parts of Asia, returning to Europe for breeding each spring. Although their global population is declining, they are listed as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. In the UK, the RSPB reports a rapid decline in these already rare birds, with numbers dropping to zero in the ’70s before a slight resurgence to 13 breeding pairs in the mid-2000s.
The remarkable breeding success of AU has been a significant highlight this year. After successfully raising four chicks in 2025, AU, dubbed the “golden boy,” returned this year to perform elaborate mating displays to attract female partners. This year, three females vied for AU’s attention, with two ultimately nesting with him, resulting in six offspring.
Conservationists are optimistic that AU’s male offspring will return to the UK for breeding in the future. To protect the new hatchlings, the RSPB has secured the nests in a confidential location on a British farm. 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 UK for breeding.
Thomas and his team eagerly await the data from the satellite trackers, which will provide valuable insights into the movement and survival of the young harriers. This innovative tracking approach offers hope for the continued conservation of the Montagu’s harrier population in the UK.
