Deutschland – 12. 06. 2026

Harrier project in Germany: First chicks hatched!

12.06.2026

Montagu's harriers and marsh harriers build their nests in grain fields, where the young birds risk ending up in a combine harvester during the harvest. In the Zülpich Börde region between Cologne and Aachen, we search for the nests of these endangered migratory birds and protect them together with farmers - a nest protection zone is left standing during harvesting. 

With the hatching of the marsh harrier chicks, the next phase of our project has begun. During inspections of nests that had already been found, we have identified young birds between one and twelve days old over the past few days. Together with the region’s biological stations, the lower nature conservation authorities, and the affected farmers, the nests will be protected over the next two weeks so that the chicks are not accidentally killed during the harvest.

You can learn more about our harrier project in Germany here.