A day with the Marsh Harriers, 16th July 2021

A hot day, so where better to go than Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire for a walk around and some time in the Mere hide. As I walked round there were lots of Dragonflies including this Common Darter.

A  Wren was also busily collecting food for its young.

In the Mere hide four Little Egrets were feeding and having the odd dispute but generally getting on well. One came fairly close allowing a shot.

A Kingfisher made a distant pass across the Mere and then a group of Greylag Geese dropped in.

One of the most interesting sightings of the day was the local Kestrel which had obviously been watching the Hobbies and decided Dragonflies were a good snack. It would perch up by the Mere and sally forth to catch one, with a high success rate!

A Hobby did indeed put in a brief appearance hawking over the far side of the Mere.

A Grey Heron also slowly flapped in, perching in front of the hide and also allowing a chance for a spot of video.

And so to the stars of the day, the Marsh Harriers. They have raised four young and they were showing well along with the adults for large parts of the day.

Here is the male bringing in food.

And a successful delivery!

A fabulous few hours watching these magnificent birds!