Montagu's Harrier disappears as UK breeding species? (1 Viewer)

[3Italianbirders]

A friend has just sent me this article:

Montagu's Harrier disappears as UK breeding species

The raptor failed to nest anywhere nationally for the first time in 45 years.

www.birdguides.com

Terrible news. Does anyone have more info?

 

[Richard D]

It's not great news but it's never had a large breeding population in the UK.

 

[Farnboro John]

Already mentioned in Live Bird News.

Edit: beg pardon, it was in News from Birding and Nature Organisations

John

 

[ApusApus]

Sad ........ I remember going to an RSPB monitored nest site in Lincolnshire many years ago, great views of the male "hanging" over the fields and doing food passes to the female!


Shane

 

[Farnboro John]

Sad ........ I remember going to an RSPB monitored nest site in Lincolnshire many years ago, great views of the male "hanging" over the fields and doing food passes to the female!


Shane

Aye, and North Wootton and Burnham Market and Sixpenny Handley and Wyke Down and Black Gutter Bottom.... that's the trouble: just odd pairs with no real persistence and no joined up sustainable population.

John

 

[MikeInPA]

In the mid 90’s they bred right on the edge of the Wash. Holbeach St Matthew I think it was though I might be wrong. When the 3 young fledged at one point all 3 perched on the roof rack of my car, side by side. Oh for a camera back then.

 

[MJB]

Aye, and North Wootton and Burnham Market and Sixpenny Handley and Wyke Down and Black Gutter Bottom.... that's the trouble: just odd pairs with no real persistence and no joined up sustainable population.

John

There was also one pair within the walled area of Holkham Hall.
MJB

 

[Jos Stratford]

I would say a greater problem for Montagu's Harriers awaits them in the core of their range in the EU. Totally backward EU agricultural policy pays farmers to cut grass with date stipulations that it can not be left till the end of the breeding season unless specific permission is sought. In Lithuania at least, most of this cutting happens in June, the height of the breeding season, everything gets chopped, Corncrakes, harriers and anything else nesting in the grass. And what happens to the cut grass? Usually nothing, it is dumped. Has to be cut to get the money, no difference what happens to the grass.

I am a bit hazy on the next bit, but if a farmer wanted to cut later for environmental reason, I believe it is possible but requires considerable form filling and etc etc. No incentive to be friendly to grass nesting birds, but the exact opposite, you are disincentivised by the additional requirements.

 

[wolfbirder]

In the mid 90’s they bred right on the edge of the Wash. Holbeach St Matthew I think it was though I might be wrong. When the 3 young fledged at one point all 3 perched on the roof rack of my car, side by side. Oh for a camera back then.

Gedney Drove End I think, I saw 6 birds.

 

[Andy Lakin]

What were the numbers like at their peak. It sounds like they were very widely spread but in very small numbers. Also what is the farthest North they have bred/ attempted to in the U.K?

 

[Zephyrus Carrington]

What were the numbers like at their peak. It sounds like they were very widely spread but in very small numbers. Also what is the farthest North they have bred/ attempted to in the U.K?

I'm thinking that breeding on Braco Moor, Perthshire in 1950s would be the furthest north?

 

[rosbifs]

If I remember rightly there were about 4 pairs in the 70's in the UK

I'm assuming that was national but could be wrong... I'll have sniff for some old reports...

Jos is correct about general farming methods. They seem to be relatively stable on the west coast, at least, here but no longer breed in my area - just north of Pyrenees. Same with HH which hasn't bred here either for a while.

They are very strict here about hedge cutting and when you can and cannot - 31st March through to 31st July. This is to protect breeding species. A friend reported his neighbouring farm because they chopped everything in June - when there were breeding Little Owls. They got an official visit but no sanctions - I think they will be closely watched next year. The hay and grass cutting seems to be a lot earlier - I hate to think how many nesting quail are lost amongst all of the ground breeders...

I read, LPO Rapaces mag, that in France the Environmental Officers try and map out all of the Montagu's Harriers, and other, nests so that farmers now where they can chop or not. Seems to be working very well on the whole just not around me!