Marsh Harrier Update 24th April.....and a Surprise!!

24th April 2026

It's three weeks since my last visit to Fowlmere so time for another visit to see how the harriers are getting on. The male was fairly active with quite a few laps of the site. However, the difference today was that he was hunting whereas he normally only hunts off-site.

With no success the male eventually left the site to try his luck in the surrounding area. All this time there was no sign of the female so hopefully she is sitting on eggs. So how do you get a female harrier off the nest ainto the air?................FOOD!!!

She could hear the male approaching and left the nest and gained height to meet him...............

....................calling as she went.

This food pass wasn't the tradtional food drop by the male and caught by the female. Instead he kept hold of the prey and she followed him until she could take it from him.

Nearly there.

Reach out.

SUCCESS!!

What an amazing thing to witness.

So what about the surprise. Well I was waiting for some harrier activity when a Curlew flew low and silently across the mere, and I managed to grab a shot as it went past. I have since had a look at my photos and it has a short bill, a prominent eye-stripe and you can just about make out a central crown stripe, and is therefore a Whimbrel.

Ade Cooper has confirmed the ID and says they are less than annual at Fowlmere and therefore a good record.

Well, what a fantastic day and good to meet Christine Henry.