Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Species
Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus). Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on February 28th 2021.
Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on February 28th 2021.
(1/1250th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 43 - 55 cm; WS: 115 - 140 cm

The Marsh Harrier is a medium-sized raptor and the largest and broadest-winged harrier. It is distinguishable from other harriers by its larger size, heavier build, broader wings and absence of white on the rump. Females are larger than males and have obvious creamy heads.

Marsh Harriers are mainly found in eastern and south-east England, with some in the north-west, south-west and Scotland. Birds return to their breeding areas by April and leave for Africa in September and October, although a growing number are staying all year round.

They are usually associated with marshland and dense reedbeds.

It has Amber status on the British list. There are around 400 breeding pairs in the UK.

Sightings

26-Jan-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)

26-Dec-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
18-May-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
11-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
19-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
01-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
30-Jan-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)

18-Oct-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
08-Oct-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
24-Jun-2022 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (2)
20-Jun-2022 : Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria (1)
30-May-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1f)
15-Apr-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1m)
07-Feb-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
05-Jan-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)

09-Dec-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
25-Nov-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
17-Nov-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
02-Nov-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
11-Oct-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
18-Apr-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
14-Apr-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
31-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
25-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)
22-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
14-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
07-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
28-Feb-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
10-Feb-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
23-Jan-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)

15-Dec-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
19-Nov-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
15-Oct-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (1)
01-Oct-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
06-Jul-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
27-May-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
19-May-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
14-Mar-2020 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
08-Mar-2020 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
18-Feb-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
07-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (4)
03-Feb-2020 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (1)
02-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (2)
12-Jan-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)

09-Dec-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
17-Oct-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
28-Sep-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
22-Jul-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
16-Jun-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
18-Apr-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)