Conservationists in the United Kingdom have been striving to safeguard a rare bird species known as the Montagu’s harrier from disappearing entirely. According to conservationist Mark Thomas, recent progress in protecting the British population of these birds can be largely credited to the mating success of a remarkably prolific male bird.
This exceptional male, named AU after the chemical symbol for gold, has fathered a total of 16 offspring, with 10 of them born in the last two years alone. Thomas, who serves as the species lead for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), highlighted AU’s vital role in sustaining the species within the U.K.
Montagu’s harriers are migratory birds that winter in Africa and parts of Asia before returning to Europe for breeding during the spring. While globally their population is declining, they are categorized as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. In the U.K., these birds, which were once abundant, faced rapid declines, with numbers dropping to zero in the 1970s before showing signs of recovery in the mid-2000s.
The recent success in breeding Montagu’s harriers in the U.K. can be attributed to AU’s efforts. After successfully raising four chicks in 2025, AU, known as the “golden boy,” returned this year to engage in elaborate mating displays to attract female partners. This year, three females vied for AU’s attention, leading to the successful nesting of two females with him and the birth of six chicks, evenly distributed among two nests.
Conservationists are hopeful that AU’s offspring, particularly his male progeny, will return to the U.K. for breeding in the future. To protect the nests and chicks, researchers have implemented measures such as constructing barriers and keeping the nest locations confidential to prevent predation.
In a new initiative, the RSPB has equipped two juvenile harriers with satellite trackers, a first for the organization. This technology will enable researchers to monitor the birds’ migration patterns, providing valuable insights into their movements and potential return to the U.K. for breeding. Thomas and his team are eagerly awaiting the data from the trackers to further their conservation efforts for the Montagu’s harrier population in the U.K.