One of the joys of being a warden is being on the reserve in the early mornings. I noticed this female Marsh Harrier on the gauge board in the Wildlife Watchpoint cut this morning as I entered the hide. Ed brought the reserve camera and managed to get this shot as I slowly opened a shutter.
Just before this, a very nervous looking female Gadwall with 11 chicks swam past underneath the post watched intently by the Harrier.
Why didn't the Harrier pounce on the ready meal beneath her ?
It could be that she was well fed. When Sparrowhawks have fed well they are unable to fly easily. The birds in the area can tell this and are more likely to mob the predator.
Or, it could be that she was very wet from all the overnight rain. She was sitting with her back to the morning sun and stretched her wings a few times which looked like she was trying to dry them ?
Or was it just an early morning stretch ?
I suppose we'll never know. But that must be one relieved Gadwall mother out there. For now.