In an exclusive interview, conservationist Mark Thomas sheds light on the remarkable efforts to save a rare bird species in the United Kingdom. The Montagu’s harrier, facing a decline in numbers globally, has found a savior in a particularly fruitful male known as AU.
AU, a 10-year-old male bird dubbed the “golden boy,” has played a pivotal role in sustaining the British population of Montagu’s harriers. His exceptional mating skills have resulted in the birth of 16 offspring, with 10 of them born in the past two years alone. Thomas, the species lead for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), emphasized AU’s crucial contribution, stating that he is single-handedly upholding the species in the UK.
Montagu’s harriers, known for their migratory nature, winter in Africa and parts of Asia before returning to breed in Europe each spring. While their global population is on the decline, the UK population has faced a rapid decrease, nearing extinction. Thomas highlighted the species’ tumultuous history in the UK, from a peak of 30 breeding pairs in the 1950s to zero pairs in the ’70s, followed by intermittent recoveries and declines.
The recent success in conservation efforts can be attributed to AU’s continued breeding success. His acrobatic mating displays have attracted female harriers, leading to the birth of six chicks from two nests this year. Conservationists are optimistic that AU’s male offspring will return to the UK to breed in the future, contributing to the species’ survival.
To safeguard the new hatchlings, conservationists have taken measures to protect the nests, keeping their locations confidential and implementing barriers to ward off predators. With the use of satellite trackers attached to juvenile harriers for the first time, researchers aim to monitor their migration patterns closely, hoping to track their return and aid in conservation efforts.
Thomas expressed excitement over the prospects of tracking the young harriers’ journeys, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in ensuring the species’ future survival in the UK.