The rare pallid harrier bird has nested for the first time in the Netherlands, reports NOS on Friday.

A volunteer from the bird protection group, the Werkgroep Grauwe Kiekendief, has spotted a nest in Groningen, although its exact location is being kept secret to protect the birds.

Ben Koks, founder of the group, told the NOS: ‘When one of our volunteers was cycling his route and counting birds, he saw a male pallid harrier bird. His behaviour showed that he had a nest. And it appeared that the male bird of prey and a female had a nest with five young birds.’

This, he said, was a first and big news in birdland. Birds seen here have, reportedly, only nested in Finland up until now.

Han Olff, an ecologist at Groningen university, told the NOS: ‘It is amazing that a pallid harrier bird has nested in the Netherlands. I think this is the biggest bird news in decades!’

One of the chicks has reportedly already flown the nest.