Another Day with the Marsh Harriers

1st July 2021

Couldn't wait to spend another day with the Marsh Harriers but first some of the local residents. Not surprisingly with the large areas of reed beds there were many Reed Warblers. Unfortunately at this time of year these little brown jobs spend most of their time buried in the reeds making photography very difficult. This one was semi-cooperative, showing itself with just a few reeds in the way.

This male Reed Bunting was a bit more cooperative, singing on the edge of an Elder bush.

But now for the Marsh Harriers. The young have now fledged but spend most of their time sitting in the reeds or bushes, waiting for the parents to bring them food. The female is still keeping a low profile, so it is the male which provides most of the action. Having said that, he spends most of his day sitting around between hunting trips.

He will then disappear for half an hour or so, only returning when he has caught lunch for the youngsters. Here the victim is an unfortunate juvenile Starling.

And then back on to his Sallow for a rest.

Just wonderful to watch these magnificent birds just wheeling around.