How Are The Harriers Doing At Fowlmere?

6th June 2023

My last visit to Fowlmere was on the 13th May so time to see how the harriers are getting on. Not much happening on the mere but a lone Sedge Warbler put in a brief appearance by the ditch in front of the Reedbed Hide. In my experience Sedge Warblers are quite scarce on the reserve compared to the numerous Reed Warblers.

There were at least two calling male Cuckoos on site but unfortunately both kept their distance.

So what about the harriers? Well the male was fairly active flying around the reedbed and leaving the site to go hunting although wasn't bringing any food back to the site. We were there from 9.30am-1pm and the first prey item to be brought in was at 12.30pm. This was passed to the female behind a bush towards the back of the site and nowhere near the nest.

At one point he landed on a rather spindly tree and spent most of the time just looking around and preening.

I have mentioned before the rather unusual plumage of this male. A 4CY bird should have a plain grey tail whereas this male has a barred brown tail, the barring due to the bird being one of the scarce barred variants.

The female was also fairly active, often leaving the site to go hunting. Therefore it would appear they are no longer on eggs and hopefully feeding young.