A Couple of Hours With the Marsh Harriers

11th June 2021

The Marsh Harrier was the first "rare" bird of prey that I saw as a youngster when I visited Bert Axell at Minsmere, and a few years on they are still one of my favourites. Today the male spent a great deal of time just cruising around his territory, occasionally flying off-site to hunt.

It can be seen from these top two photos that the secondaries and inner primaries are a different colour suggesting that the bird is a sub-adult, probably a 2CY or 3CY.

Here the male returning with food has obviously plunged into water to catch its prey as can be seen by its soggy underparts.

The female only put in a couple of appearances, presumably spending most of her time shielding her young from predators and the heat.

Now you would think that a large heavy bird like a Marsh Harrier would choose a sturdy tree to land on. Well, not this one. Instead it selected a spindly Sallow and made several attempts to land and find a secure footing.

Eventually it landed safely and sat there surveying its kingdom.

What absolutely amazing birds.