From tiny Merlins to enormous White-tailed Eagles, the UK’s birds of prey come in all shapes and sizes. These masterful predators are a real treat to see, but they’re often super-fast and many species look quite similar, which can make identifying them a challenge. In this guide, we share some simple ID tips to help you.
As their name suggests, Marsh Harriers are birds of marshes and reedbeds. They also hunt and nest in farmland and the open countryside. They can mostly be found in East Anglia, Somerset and the south-east, as well as north-west England and parts of Wales and Scotland.
You might see Marsh Harriers flying low over reedbeds, before dropping down to catch their prey of small birds, rodents and even frogs. Like Hen Harriers, male Marsh Harriers perform an impressive sky dance in spring, tumbling towards the ground before swooping back up. Sometimes a female will join in, flipping herself upside down and locking talons with the male in mid-air. Marsh Harriers also hold their wings in a distinctive ‘V’ shape while flying.
