UK's rarest bird of prey rears new chicks in secret location

Live updates

1. 20d ago

   Six Montagu's Harrier chicks fledge from secret English nests

   Six Montagu's Harrier chicks have fledged from two nests in England in 2026. The birds, identified as the UK's rarest bird of prey, were reared in secret locations to protect them from wildlife photographers and twitchers. For the first time in the UK, these chicks have been tagged. This breeding success follows several years without successful reproduction and provides hope for the recovery of the endangered species.

   Why it matters

   Montagu's Harriers are polyamorous birds of prey. The species has struggled with breeding in Britain for years, making this current success a significant event for conservation.

   What is confirmed

   • Six Montagu's Harrier chicks fledged from two English nests in 2026.
   • The nest locations were kept secret to prevent interference from twitchers and photographers.
   • Montagu's Harrier chicks have been tagged for the first time in the UK.
   • The Montagu's Harrier is the UK's rarest bird of prey.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A polyamorous bird of prey is single-handedly reviving the species.
   • The species had years with no successful breeding prior to this event.

   What to watch next

   • Tracking data from the first tagged chicks
   • Confirmation of further nesting sites in 2026
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. BBC — UK's rarest bird of prey rears new chicks in secret location
   2. The Times — Polyamorous bird of prey ‘single-handedly’ reviving species
   3. BirdGuides — Six Montagu's Harrier chicks fledge from two English nests in 2026
   4. The Telegraph — Britain’s rarest bird’s new nest kept secret to stop twitchers
   5. RSPB — Montagu’s Harrier chicks tagged for the first time in UK
   6. CNN — This rare polyamorous bird of prey’s location has been kept a mystery. Here’s why
   7. The Independent — Britain’s rarest bird successfully rears six chicks in secret location
   8. Yahoo — UK’s rarest bird of prey rears chicks at secret location to stop twitchers
   9. Community Newspaper Group — Endangered rare bird of prey rears chicks at secret location
   10. PetaPixel — UK’s Rarest Bird Nests Kept Secret to Keep Wildlife Photographers Away
   11. Yahoo — Rare Bird of Prey Nests Again in Secret U.K. Location After Years with No Successful Breeding
   12. People.com — The U.K.’s Rarest Bird of Prey Rears 6 Chicks in a Secret Spot, Offering Hope for the Species
   confidence 95%