Sunday 31 May 2009 - Marsh Harrier at Alvecote Pools SSSI - 31/05/09

Sunday 31st May 2009

Marsh Harrier at Alvecote Pools SSSI

After spending the whole day birding in East Anglia yesterday, today was allocated to the pursuit of enjoying quality family time in the gorgeous sunshine.  Even whilst sunbathing in the garden though my bins are always close at hand and I was delighted when an adult female Peregrine drifted slowly over, a new garden tick.  Around the feeders a pair of Common Pheasant were present on and off along with their two youngsters, estimated to be about a week old.  Two pair of Bullfinch also dropped in when we weren't being too noisy as did a pair of Yellowhammer.  As we kicked back and relaxed the air was filled with the song of Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Garden Warbler - a perfect English summers day.

As the day drawed to a close I couldn't resist a quick visit to Alvecote to see what was about.  Around Mill Pool there was a pair of Common Shelduck and 2 pair of Gadwall amongst the usual water birds.  A pair of Common Tern were fishing and several Sedge Warblers and Common Whitethroats were in full song.  I then made my way over to Teal Pool where another pair of Gadwall were milling around along with a few Northern Lapwing.  I then started to scan Upper Pool when I noticed a large dark raptor hanging in the strong easterly wind.  As I focused my scope I was shocked to see a tatty looking female MARSH HARRIER circling around.  She looked quite happy checking out the various pools so I quickly called Tom Perrins and Roy Smith to see if they would be interested in seeing this Alvecote rarity.  Unfortunately as I was on the phone to Roy the bird simply turned and flew off strongly to the south west.

This was only my second sighting of MARSH HARRIER at Alvecote which is not that surprising considering that the species is only recorded there once every five years or so.  I was therefore 'over the moon' with my bit of luck.  Other recent MARSH HARRIER sightings in the Midlands recently include a female at Otmoor RSPB, Oxfordshire on the 26th May, a female at Rutland Water, Leicestershire on the 28th May and a female at Mission, Nottinghamshire on both the 30th May and this morning at around 8.30am.  I'm wondering whether all these sightings relate to the same individual.

STOP PRESS: For dragonfly enthusiasts there are now good numbers of HAIRY DRAGONFLY on the wing around the Pooley Fields section of the reserve.