Marsh harrier  (Circus aeruginosus)

A scarce summer visitor to Britain, marsh harriers are also found in Europe, the Middle East, Central and northern Asia, and parts of Africa. In Britain the species mainly breeds in East Anglia, but can be seen on the south and east coast as far north as Scotland whilst it is migrating. It can also occasionally be seen in Wales and Ireland. Small numbers of individuals over-winter in East Anglia, Kent and south Wales (3). There are records of marsh harriers in Britain that date from the Iron Age, about 3000 years ago (2).

Marsh harriers are usually associated with wetlands, as the common name would suggest (2). Breeding occurs amongst reeds or sedges, usually in large reed beds. However there are records of some individuals breeding in cereal fields, or within small areas of reeds located amongst arable land or saltmarsh. Hunting generally occurs over agricultural land or open habitat containing aquatic vegetation (3).