Marsh Harrier Update 22nd May

22nd May 2026

A month since my last visit so time to see how the Marsh Harriers are getting on. The Heron was in its usual place but the lack of rain meant no Jack Pike to feed on. 

Therefore, had to make do with a spot of sunbathing using its wings as reflectors.

The reed bed was full of Reed Warblers that were chasing each other around making them very difficult to photograph. When they land they normally shin down the stem thereby disappearing into the tangle of stems. Luckily I found a little tunnel through the reeds for this one.

Cuckoos seem to be having  a very good year and there are at least three at Fowlmere having seen them all in flight at once. This one obligingly sat up on a Sallow above the owl box.

And talking of owl boxes this Stock Dove was enjoying sunning itself just outside the nest hole. I know the box is still occupied by the Barn Owls so they must be happy to charge it rent for the use of the veranda.

So how are the harriers getting on? Well the male was spending quite a lot of time in the air and only once left the site and returned without prey.

However, what was confusing was the female also often being in the air leaving the nest unattended. She also left the site on one occasion and also returned without prey.

So what is going on? Well, the eggs must be coming up to their hatching date, but the lack of food being brought in suggests not yet. So perhaps she was just stretching her wings and letting the sun keep the eggs warm.

                                                       SO WATCH THIS SPACE!!