Montagu's Harrier Welfare: Arable Farmland Nesting in the UK 2026

Montagu's harrier is one of the UK's rarest breeding birds of prey, nesting in cereal crops and dependent on intensive conservation management.

Key Facts

Fewer than 10 pairs of Montagu's harriers breed in the UK each year, making them critically scarce
They nest on the ground in cereal crops, making nests vulnerable to agricultural machinery
A Nest Protection Programme involves farmers identifying and protecting nest sites during harvest
They winter in sub-Saharan Africa and face additional pressures on migration routes through France and Spain
Male Montagu's harriers are elegant fliers, distinguishable from hen harriers by black wingtip markings

Welfare Considerations

Montagu's harrier welfare in the UK is acutely dependent on cooperation between conservationists and farmers. Nests located in cereal crops are at high risk of destruction during harvest operations without active protection. The Nest Protection Programme coordinates GPS monitoring of nests and temporary exclusion zones during cutting, preventing accidental destruction. Individual welfare of breeding adults is also affected by food availability on the wider farmland landscape - populations that cannot find sufficient prey (primarily voles and small birds) during the breeding season experience chick starvation and nest failure.

What You Can Do

Support organisations coordinating the Montagu's harrier Nest Protection Programme
Report any suspected Montagu's harrier activity to local raptor groups in May-June
Advocate for farmland management supporting vole and songbird populations as prey for harriers
Donate to raptor conservation funds supporting nest surveillance and protection