Wild Montagu's Harrier Conservation

Montagu's harrier is Britain's rarest breeding raptor; nest protection and agricultural cooperation are essential for the remaining pairs.

Key Facts

Fewer than 10 pairs of Montagu's harriers breed in Britain annually, making it the rarest breeding raptor.
They nest on the ground in arable crops, making nests vulnerable to agricultural machinery.
Farmers are essential conservation partners; nest protection agreements allow harvest to proceed safely.
Montagu's harriers winter in sub-Saharan Africa; they face threats on migration through Europe.
The RSPB Montagu's Harrier Project works with farmers to protect every known nest in Britain.

Welfare Considerations

At such critically low breeding numbers, every individual Montagu's harrier has irreplaceable population significance. Welfare threats include nest destruction by farming machinery, predation of eggs and chicks, and hunting pressure on migration routes. RSPB nest protection involving GPS monitoring and temporary exclusion zones around nests prevents the primary cause of breeding failure. Chicks that survive to fledging face the welfare challenge of the first migration to Africa — a demanding journey requiring adequate condition at departure. The welfare of each individual pair is therefore both an animal welfare concern and a species-level conservation emergency.

What You Can Do

If farming in areas where Montagu's harriers may be present, contact RSPB before harvesting crops.
Support RSPB Montagu's Harrier Project through donation.
Report any suspected Montagu's harrier sightings to the RSPB immediately during the breeding season.
Oppose hunting of migrating raptors through advocacy and campaign engagement.