Deutschland – 11. 08. 2025

All's well that ends well for a young Montagu's harrier!

11.08.2025

After 382 days of intensive treatment at the 'Bergische Greifvogelhilfe' wild bird sanctuary, a Montagu's harrier has been successfully released back into the wild in the Zülpicher Börde region. The female bird was caught last year in a combine harvester during the harvest when she was still a young bird and suffered severe damage to her plumage. It was only saved thanks to the farmer who discovered the injured bird and immediately notified us. Thanks to the professional care and nutrition at the station, the unlucky bird has now ‘moulted’ and has a complete set of new feathers again, just in time for the start of the migration season. 

Over the weekend, the young harrier was released into the wild by station manager Dirk Sindhu and employees of the committee, the Düren Biological Station and the farmer. The release was also attended by NRW Environment Minister Oliver Krischer.