Both marsh harriers and the muchrarer Montagu - PDF document

Both marsh harriers and the muchrarer MontaguÕsharriers nest onlowland arable farmland. Liaisonbetween conservationists andfarm workers is often essential tosafeguard breeding attempts asroutine farming practices. Whilst marsh harriers have afemales, MontaguÕs harriers areBritainÕsrarest breeding bird of FARMINGFORWILDLIFEharriersare greyer,with MontaguÕshaving blackwingtips, distinctblack lines across its grey wingsand a white rump. Male marshharriershave a brown saddle, greyBreeding arrive at their breeding sites duringAprilÐMay. Crop-nesting harriersmost frequently attempt to nest ingrass silage. The nest of bothincubation lasts 27Ð40 days. Afterhatching, the chicks remain in theyoung harriers will remain aroundHarriersbreed only once a year butwill often return to the same nestarea in subsequent years.Marsh harriersare most often GUIDELINES OVERLEAF MontaguÕs harrier (male)MontaguÕsharrier (female)Marsh harrier (male)Marsh harrier (female) WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT THERE ARE CROP-NESTING HARRIERS PRESENT The RSPB, UK Headquarters, TheLodge, Sandy,Bedfordshire SG19 2DLTel: 01767 680551 www.rspb.org.uk/farming You can get more information on this and other ways of managing your farm for wildlife from:Species Protection Section at UK HQ, who willprotection scheme. The RSPB will give free,nesting harriers.Carefully consider the likely outcome ofinforming other people, as harriers arevulnerable to disturbance by birdwatchers andare targets for egg collectors.In certain cases for MontaguÕs harriers, a nestvisit by a licensed and experienced person mayto remove the ears from the crops within half ametre of the nest to prevent crop fall. This is collapse such as oilseed rape. Although not a necessity, in certain situations ascientific bird rings to harrier chicks prior tothem fledging the nests. Visits must be reducedto a minimum by being synchronised with anyother necessary nest visit and only undertakenin good weather.Advice can be sought from theBritish Trust for Ornithology.success of anyharrier nest. If planned well itshould not cause problems for the harriers orthe farmer.Several techniques to safeguardharrier nests exist and these should befarm manager.Delay of cut around the nestare to fledge very soon after the plannedharvest. Asquare no smaller than 10mx10 m isleftuncut around the nests. Once the birds areTotal harvest methodcan be left on an area around the nest site,providing cover and protection for the nest. are old enough to feed themselves. Thenestlings are briefly removed from the nest by alicensed person prior to the start of operationsand replaced immediately after. However, it isessential the nest is not left high and dry in asmall patch of cover in an otherwise bare field,licensed harrier worker during harvestingthese techniques can be sought from the RSPBAdvisory Department.If you witness anysuspicious activity near aharrier nest site, please reportit immediately toaPolice Wildlife Crime Officer or the RSPBInvestigations Section.RSPB Species Protection Tel: 01767 680551RSPB Advisory Department Tel: 01767 680551BTORinging Unit: 01842 750050Natural England Wildlife Management andLicensing Service: 01733 455136 RSPB regd charity no 207076Northminster House, Peterborough,PE1 1UA. Tel: 0845 600 3078.www.naturalengland.org.uk Printed on environmentally-friendly paper After alerting the RSPB, minimal intervention isoften the best option. Most harrier nests do notrequire any specific measures by the farmerHowever,anyactions that do takeplace nearharrier nests must be planned and discussed by all parties, including anyagricultural contract staff.Although spraying operations It is a legal requirement for conservationistsworking with crop-nesting harriers in England tohold a current Natural England Schedule 1disturbance licence.Bird ringers and nestrecorders can also be issued licenses bytheBritish Trust for Ornithology.