In an exclusive interview with conservationist Mark Thomas, it was revealed that the survival of a rare bird species in the United Kingdom is largely thanks to the exceptional breeding abilities of a single male bird. Known as AU, this 10-year-old bird has fathered a remarkable 16 offspring, with 10 born in the last two years alone. Mark Thomas, the species lead for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), described AU as crucial in sustaining the species in the UK.

Montagu’s harriers, migratory birds of prey that winter in Africa and parts of Asia before returning to Europe to breed, are facing population declines globally. In the UK, the species has been rapidly dwindling, with numbers dropping from around 30 breeding pairs in the 1950s to zero in the 1970s, then rising and falling again over the years. The recent success in breeding can be attributed to AU’s efforts.

AU’s acrobatic mating displays have attracted female harriers, leading to successful nesting and the birth of six chicks this year. Conservationists are optimistic that AU’s sons will return to the UK to breed, with two male offspring from 2025 already sighted in the country. The new hatchlings have been carefully protected in top-secret nest locations on British farmland, with barriers erected to shield them from predators.

The RSPB has affixed satellite trackers to two juvenile harriers for the first time, allowing researchers to monitor their migration patterns. This tracking data will provide valuable insights into the birds’ movements and potential return to the UK for breeding. The conservation efforts have been a source of both excitement and responsibility for Thomas and his team, as they work tirelessly to safeguard the future of this critically endangered species.