We don't see too many Marsh Harriers in Shetland, just passage birds so it was good to get down to Blacktoft Sands to see about 20+ birds
Blacktoft is one of the best places in the UK to see them and we saw activity throughout the day.
About 50 years ago there was only one pair breeding in the UK , now Blacktoft has 10 breeding pairs.
Now around 695 pairs breed which is a great conservation success. This is down to creating reedbed habitats and Blacktoft is one of the biggest in the UK, also a reducing and banning of harmful pesticides.
Here the Harriers feed on rats, small birds and even insects
You can see Marsh, Hen and occasional Montagues Harriers in winter.
No comments:
Post a Comment