Update on the Marsh Harriers

18th February 2024

Just outside Fowlmere I came across a herd of 20+ Fallow Deer with two Brown Hares acting as lookouts. This is not the herd often seen opposite the entrance to the reserve as there are no white ones, whereas the usual herd has quite a few.

Once in the Reed Bed Hide I didn't have to wait long for the male Marsh Harrier to appear and do a few laps of the reed bed allowing a number of shots to be taken in beautiful light.

What an amazing show just 25 miles from home.

I have mentioned before that this bird is one of the scarce barred forms and unlike normal adult male Marsh Harriers has barring across its primaries, secondaries and tail and also an orangey-brown tail rather than the normal grey one. Well last summer the tail was completely orangey-brown but this year it is moulting a grey terminal band and you can see that the central feathers are still growing.

The reason for so many flights was that he was collecting reeds for the nest as can be seen here.

The female did put in a brief performance but then left the site to hunt.