OTHER NAMES: Marsh Harrier
Latin Etymology: Circus ("circling") aeruginosus ("rusty")
Adult male Western Marsh Harrier (subspecies C. a. aeruginosus) at Blakenham, Norfolk - May 2022
Weight: 400-650g / Length: 43-54cm / Wingspan: 115-130cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Despite being by far the most common of the UKs three regular harriers, the Marsh Harrier still isn't a particularly common bird in most places. AS the name suggests, it favours marshland, although it can occasionally be sighted over less specialised wetland. I cannot recommend Elmley Marshes RSPB enough for seeing this species, on my visits I can often see 15+ of these birds in an afternoon. This however does not mean that the views you get of them are as good it must be noted, and unfortunately, despite the number of sightings, they don't necessarily tend to be that close range unless its in fairly low light anyway. I also encountered this species in Spain, where it appears much more content to hunt over arable fields than it is in the UK.
Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Circus
Subspecies: C. a. aeruginosus, C. a. harterti
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - Scarce but locally common breeding resident. (400 pairs)
- Stronghold around the Swale,notably Elmley Marshes and Oare Marshes, Also seen at Rainham Marshes, Nene Washes, Blakenham, Thornham Harbour and other wetland and saltmarsh sites.
ITALY - Italian - Falco di Palude ("Swamp Falcon")
A localised resident, non-breeder and passage migrant.
- SICILY 2018 TRIP - Two seen at Fiume Ciane
- SICILY 2018 TRIP - Two seen at Fiume Ciane
- MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen in the vicinity of Madrid
- MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen frequently throughout most notably at Laguna Del Longar
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