A Couple of Hours with the Harriers

3rd July 2022

Up to now the new young pair of harriers have been unsuccessful in their first breeding attempt, so time to settle down to see what is going on. This can be a lengthy process as harriers have a habit of leaving the site for extended periods to hunt, or just sitting around digesting their last meal. Luckily there is often a supporting cast to help fill the time.

The cast today was a male Reed Bunting singing its heart out from the top of an Elder, a Reed Warbler catching damselflies and a Swift which I managed to grab as it flew over the hide.

But now down to the business at hand. I only saw the male today which made a few hunting trips and was bringing food back into the site as seen on the first three photos. I would therefore like to think that the female at last was sitting on eggs and was being fed by the male. Only time will tell so fingers crossed.

And as I have often said before some of the best photos ever taken are in the car park and today was no exception. I had hardly stepped out of the car when a male Yellowhammer was exclaiming to the world that he didn't like cheese, so I only gave him a little bit of bread!!