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2005 Marsh Harrier Survey
Background The RSPB are carrying out a national survey of Marsh Harriers in 2005, with financial support from English Nature. This survey is intended to census all breeding and summering Marsh Harriers in the UK. We know the population has expanded since the last full survey in 1995, which found 148 breeding males; 238 breeding males were reported to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel for 2002. This is a remarkable recovery for a species that was reduced to a single pair in the UK in 1971. In recent years there has been a slow expansion west and northwards from the stronghold in south-east England, with breeding recorded as far north as Orkney. This had resulted in the use of areas outside traditional, protected areas, and into new habitats such as arable land. For effective conservation, there is a need to know the whereabouts of these populations, which are beginning to outgrow regionally organised monitoring efforts. Potential breeding areas throughout the UK will be visited by volunteer and professional surveyors, from April onwards. Marsh Harriers arrive on breeding sites from mid-March (although an increasing number are now wintering in southern England), and can be seen displaying through April and sometimes into May (later further north in the UK). Birds may also be seen carrying nest material during this period. Marsh Harriers tend to lay eggs from late April onwards, with hatching from late May. Observers should not approach areas where Marsh Harriers might be nesting, as they are very susceptible to disturbance. From late May onwards Marsh Harriers may be busy feeding young, and adults may be recorded carrying food at any time of day – the male may sometimes be seen passing food to the female in mid-air, quite a spectacular sight. Young can fledge as early as late June, although in some cases it may be as late as late August. Initially they will continue to be fed by the parents and will remain in the breeding area for several weeks before dispersing. How to contribute Survey Period: 1st April 2005 to 31st August 2005 BirdTrack users can assist the survey effort by reporting all records of Marsh Harriers during the 2005 breeding season; from April until August. When submitting a species list, or a casual record of Marsh Harrier, please use the comments box to tell us the number, sex and age (if known) of any Marsh Harriers seen. We particularly want records of birds showing signs of breeding – please tell us if you recorded harriers displaying, birds carrying prey or passing prey, or, later in the year, recently fledged young. Please report Marsh Harriers as promptly as possible, so, if necessary, our fieldworkers can investigate sightings further. Recording your sightings If you are not already a BirdTrack recorder, register using the link on the BirdTrack homepage ‘Register for BirdTrack’. To enter sightings click on the link ‘login to enter sightings’ and set up your sites and records. How to enter the additional information Please give us more details on any Marsh Harrier sightings to help with the survey. To contribute, please just add as many of the points below that you can to the species comment box on the casual form, or next to the count field - e.g. on the species list form Please help distinguish the different points my adding a '#' between each point. We are interested in knowing: The number of Marsh Harriers seen Please do not disturb breeding Marsh Harriers - this is
not only illegal, but can lead to nests being deserted. See the results You can look at the latest results for Marsh Harrier on BirdTrack. These pages have graphs that show the number of records and the proportion of lists submitted with these species on. To view the animated maps for these species click here and select the species you are interested in. |
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BirdTrack is organised
by the BTO for the BTO, RSPB and BWI |
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