Marsh Harrier

Fabulous captures DB & very informative to me as they are here at my local Stodmarsh NNR, now I know what to look for!

Thanks and glad it will help Wendy.

Sorry, you deserved quicker feedback David, but I've not visited  the forum for a couple of days  and just wanted to compliment you on  an excellent set of photos. Certainly the best that have been taken down here.

Great news that the Marsh Harrier is becoming more of a regular fixture. I was speaking to a couple from Cardiff the other day who had been in the Redhouse Barns hide and while they were there heard a bird call coming from a hedgerow which was being overflown by the Marsh Hartier. They checked on an iPad app and it turned out to be the distress call of a Little Owl, which answers the question 'Where have the Little Owls gone?' Hopefully they'll return to their usual spot after breeding!

The Female Marsh Harrier is definitely holding territory on the reserve. Other good news is that I have had a few sightings of male birds this year although all have been juveniles, just getting their adult plumage, Who knows, maybe next season our resident female may have a "Toy Boy"

As for the Little Owls, they have moved away from their winter roost tree in the breeding season, for the last few years, although they have bred in their winter area a few years ago. They may well be back again later in the year.

Ten years ago the best location for a sighting was the evergreen trees between the farm and the car park, they moved from here when Barn Owls moved into one of the farm's barns.    

Well done on getting good shots of the Marsh harrier. I agree its an exciting moment just to see them.