Juvenile Marsh Harriers at Fowlmere

1st July 2023

Great to hear that this year the breeding pair of Marsh Harriers have been successful and two young have fledged, so to time to get some photos. 

The brambles in the car park are always worth a look at this time of year and today there was a Comma butterfly and a Hornet mimic hoverfly Volucella zonaria aka the Hornet Fly.

The flower meadow by the Drewer Hide was also worth a look with Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper butterflies, hoverflies Episurphus balteatus and male Syrphus sp., and dragonflies male Azure Damselfly and female/teneral Ruddy Darter.

The muntjacs at Fowlmere are very confiding and are clearly used to people.

However this one had obviously had enough of being photographed and stuck its tongue out!!!

But the biggest surprise today was seeing two Scarlet Tiger moths, the first I have ever seen anywhere. Apparently they are usually present in small numbers at Fowlmere but this year numbers have been exceptional with one scan across the reed bed producing 40+. Absolutely amzing. Thanks to Ade Cooper for the information.

So what about the harriers? Well the two juveniles were doing what all juveniles do most of the day, just sitting around waiting for food to be brought in.

Why is it that harriers always try and find the most spindly bush to land on?

But they did occasionally take to the air to test out their newly-found flying ability, and presumably just because it was fun

I love the way all the wing coverts, primaries ansd secondaries have pale tips set against the dark chocolate brown background.

And even time to practise the dangling leg mode when homing in on prey...............

................and of course have some play time with your sibling.

The male brought food in a couple of times but unfortunately the food passes were out of view.

Great to see they have been successful.