The Montagu’s harriers were first seen at the now secret location in May, with the RSPB working with the farmer who owned the land to protect them.
It marks the first time the Montagu’s harrier has successfully bred in the UK since 2019.
It is believed one of them is from the UK and the other from France.
Montagu’s Harrier (m)
Early morning
Alentejo, Portugal pic.twitter.com/2CVCKJ0gco— Mark Wright (@markwright12002) May 4, 2024
What is a Montagu’s harrier?
As explained by the RSPB, the Montagu’s Harrier is a “slim, medium-sized, long-winged bird of prey”.
Its tail, while long, is smaller than a Buzzard, and more pointed than the similar Hen Harrier’s.
The male is grey on top and while flying, it shows black wingtips and a black stripe across the inner wing. The female is dark brown
The Montagu’s harrier is described by the charity as an “extremely rare breeding bird in the UK”, with each pair needing “special protection”.
Montagu’s harriers breed for first time in the UK in years
The pair were first seen at a secret location in the UK in May.
The RSPB worked with the farmer on whose land the birds were to protect the nesting attempt.
A nest was located in June by the licensed use of a drone and then closely monitored by a volunteer birdwatcher and the wildlife charity.
The RSPB set up a small protective fence around the nest once the chicks had hatched, to protect them from predators such as foxes.
The pair managed to raise four healthy youngsters to fledging, with the chicks ringed in mid-July and making their first flights last week.
Both the adult birds were themselves previously ringed, with the male identified as a chick from a nest in the UK in 2015, and the female from a nest in France in 2023.
Montagu’s harriers winter in Africa and return to Europe to nest, often setting up home in agricultural fields – particularly winter-sown cereals in the UK – and can return to the same location each year.
The RSPB said it hoped the birds will migrate safely to Africa, and the adults will return next year to breed again.
Mark Thomas, Montagu’s harrier species lead at RSPB, said: “We are overjoyed that a pair have returned, they managed to find each other and through the close protection of a dedicated farmer and the RSPB, have managed to raise four youngsters.
“This Anglo-French alliance could just be the springboard needed to save this species in Britain.”
What are the rarest birds in the UK?
Many birds in the country are considered rare species.
According to the Woodland Trust, some of the rarest birds in Britain’s woodland include the Hawfinch, the Lesser spotted woodpecker, Nightingale and Capercaillie.
Native wild animals in the UK
Others mentioned that are difficult to see include the Willow tit, Goshawk, and Wood warbler.
There are also rare birds that you can spot in your garden if you are lucky.
As Gardeners World explains, sometimes you garden might provide food, shelter or nesting sites for rare bird species.
Rare garden birds include the Waxwing, Tree Sparrow, Brambling and Goldcrest.
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The Bullfinch, Nuthatch and Grey Wagtail are among others listed.
It is recommended that if you spot a species you do not recognise, try and see what common species it relates to.
A photograph or quick sketch can help you identify it later using a field guide, or on a website or an app.
