I don't know why but, I don't visit here that often, it's only 12 miles away except, the bridge at Dillavaird is down and has been for some time, maybe that's enough to deter me?
Anyway, I popped over this morning, it's a pretty dank morning but, I thought it would be quiet and it was, in every sense. That said, the Marsh Harrier female popped onto a mostly convenient branch and posed for me for a few minutes. Which was nice
Thanks. This website is good, so may help. Main thing is it is hard to sex young birds, and there is some variation. Some males look like females in adulthood too.....
That really does help, makes this one look like a juvenile. I met one of the RSPB staff on my way out who asked about any young birds.....
The Marsh Harrier wasn't my only sighting that day .... I watched an Osprey pass to the NE, then return? heading SSW
Sadly I can't quite make out the leg ring in the second shot.
A small group of Lapwing on the other side.
When I was walking out to the Swamp Hide I noticed angry Wren sounds in a shrub alongside the walkway. As I walked out again, I spotted a few birds among the tall grasses and managed to turn and grab a few shots, one blurred, these two and an empty branch
The closest I've ever managed to a Wren with my camera, hardly any crop to these. I guessed around three youngsters
Another photo of this young bird Young Marsh Harrier at Loch of Kinnordy