Western Marsh Harrier

Habitat: The generally described breeding habitat consists of dense, extensive and often damp reed beds, while the hunting grounds also include marshes, marshy ponds, creeks, damp meadows, heaths, salt marshes and agricultural areas.

Appearance: Widespread resident and winter visitor in Western Europe, summer visitor in the East. In Belgium and the Netherlands, it is a year-round resident, migrant and passage migrant in small numbers, and a winter visitor in extremely small to very small numbers.

Breeding season: April to July. The nest is built on the ground among dense reeds. It is adapted to possible fluctuations in water level and consists of a fairly large, untidy pile of reeds, similar to that of other harriers but larger. Four to five eggs.

Characteristics: Length 43 – 55 cm, wingspan 115 – 140 cm, weight 450 – 800 grams, age 16 years.

Food: Frogs, small mammals, water birds and insects. The hunting flight of the Marsh Harrier ends long after sunset. Now and then, it sees an opportunity to catch fish in shallow water.