Coesfeld (dpa / lnw) – With combined forces, conservationists, farmers and hunters in the Coesfeld district have protected several ground nests with marsh harriers from the combine harvester. The rare birds of prey breed at three locations in grain fields, as the Coesfeld district announced on Monday. The nests, each with two to five young birds, were located with the help of drones. About 2500 square meters of field area was marked around each of these locations and excluded from harvest. “The farmers’ crop failure is compensated financially by the Coesfeld district,” said the district.
The Coesfeld district, farmers, the Nabu nature conservation association and the local hunters’ association were involved in the rescue operation. Marsh harriers typically inhabit reed beds, bogs, and lake shores. Since these habitats are becoming increasingly rare, the birds of prey are forced to switch to grain fields, as reported by the Coesfeld district in Münsterland.
