Marsh Harriers in the UK

[Michael T]

On August 20 i saw my first ever Marsh Harrier in my local patch in Huddersfield! this was subsequently confirmed by our local recorder.
From local records it appears Raptors have had a good year! I would be interested to know how Marsh Harriers are doing in the rest of the UK

[MichaelF]

Nice!

A very slow increase in passage records for Northumbs, but still none breeding. I fear if they tried, they'd suffer the same fate as Hen Harriers at the hands of the grouse moor keepers.

There's also a shortage of suitable undisturbed nesting habitat here - as soon as there's an area of uncultivated land, hundreds of people think it is their god-given right to empty all their dogs all over it, and the disturbance is just too much for birds like harriers.

[Michael T]

Thanks Michael F for the reply to my post regarding Marsh harrier sightings!
the bird i saw was a juvenile male, the first of five sightings in Huddersfield this year!
My only previous sighting of a Harrier was a ringtail (probably Hen Harrier?) last year.

[Colin Key]

On August 20 i saw my first ever Marsh Harrier in my local patch in Huddersfield! this was subsequently confirmed by our local recorder.
From local records it appears Raptors have had a good year! I would be interested to know how Marsh Harriers are doing in the rest of the UK

Hi Michael,

When I lived in the U.K. seeing harriers (best place for me was Isle of Sheppey) was an absolute delight; I can remember Marsh and Hen Harriers (plus Short-eared Owls) coming in to roost in considerable numbers as dusk fell - absolute magic.

Have you ever birded in southern Europe? One of my main delights now is to watch Montagu's Harriers hunting over the plains of the Alentejo; I always describe them as "winged ballet" - and a darned sight warmer than Harty Ferry!!

Colin

[Dave Hawkins]

Hi Michael

The UK population of Marsh harrier this breeding season was 362 known pairs. This makes them considerably rarer than Golden Eagle as a breeding species in the UK whose population is around 440 pairs!

The ease of seeing Marsh harrier in parts of England often means it's comparative scarcity as a breeder goes unnoticed.

Dave

[Michael T]

Hi Michael,

When I lived in the U.K. seeing harriers (best place for me was Isle of Sheppey) was an absolute delight; I can remember Marsh and Hen Harriers (plus Short-eared Owls) coming in to roost in considerable numbers as dusk fell - absolute magic.

Have you ever birded in southern Europe? One of my main delights now is to watch Montagu's Harriers hunting over the plains of the Alentejo; I always describe them as "winged ballet" - and a darned sight warmer than Harty Ferry!!

Colin
Thanks for the info on Harrier sightings Colin! My post should have said "probably juvenile male". Because the tail was grey. I have never been abroad!As i am a wheelchair user, a lot of best birding sites are unaccessible to me.

[Michael T]

Thanks for for the Marsh Harrier info Dave! I have only seen captive bred Golden Eagles! I would love to see one in the wild!

[beltonbirder]

Many pairs in Coastal Suffolk and the roost on the Norfolk broads usually produces 18 or so. In winter I presume that the Marsh Harriers that gather at this roost site are Continental birds Can anyone confirm this?

I still say that breeding Marsh Harriers in Suffolk are slowly increasing.

[Mosstrooper]

Hi Michael

The UK population of Marsh harrier this breeding season was 362 known pairs. This makes them considerably rarer than Golden Eagle as a breeding species in the UK whose population is around 440 pairs!

The ease of seeing Marsh harrier in parts of England often means it's comparative scarcity as a breeder goes unnoticed.

Dave

Interesting fact Dave, and really surprising. Probably i just took for granted these were getting common, as i see them with more reguality than i used to.

regards Mossy.

[forktail]

Many pairs in Coastal Suffolk and the roost on the Norfolk broads usually produces 18 or so. In winter I presume that the Marsh Harriers that gather at this roost site are Continental birds Can anyone confirm this?


Hi BB

the main east Norfolk roost now numbers over 100 birds at its height. 1975 saw the first recolonising pair in this area and soon after several others, possibly from the Dutch polders and nowadays the bird is a common sight - I'm fortunate to see them every day as I drive to work now. Although a few foreign-ringed birds have been recoverd in Norfolk, I'm not sure of the influence of overseas birds on our wintering population here. I'd be delighted to hear any info though...

I've watched birds in a fair number of places now but Cranes, Marsh Harriers, Hen Harriers etc (and soon White-tailed Sea Eagles) in a setting of extensive red skies, windmills and reedbeds still makes east Norfolk one of the most impressive birding experiences in the world.