Marsh Harrier?

[edgetop]

Hi all, I shall be travelling around East Anglia in a few weeks, I would like to see a displaying Harrier. Is there anywhere apart from all the usual reserves that I can go in search?
Paul.

[clydebirder]

Hi Paul

I would stick to the 'usual reserves' , it would be unwise to seek out nest sites (also ilegal as they ere schedule 1 birds) to watch them display, Marsh Harrier's normaly display over the nest site and disturbance during the early stages (nest building, Incubation) of breeding could cause desertion. If you do come across displaying birds outwith reserves please watch from a vantage point well away from where the bird is displaying. We all have a responsability to act in the birds best interests, I am involved with raptor studies and each species has individual traits when disturbed at the nest, unless strict guidlines are followed it would be detremental to the birds best interests. They are wonderfull birds and I do hope you get to see them displaying, please be responsible though

Cheers, John

[edgetop]

Hi, I'm sure you will appreciate. As a serious life-long naturalist and BTO Ringer I totally refuse to pay and sit in a circus crowd waiting for a performance. Sound advice tho for a general birder.

Paul.

[Neil Rigby]

Thanks Paul for the information about you. It's great to have experienced birders, such as yourself, on the forum.

I'd love to read some posts about your BTO ringing experiences.

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by edgetop

Hi, I'm sure you will appreciate. As a serious life-long naturalist and BTO Ringer I totally refuse to pay and sit in a circus crowd waiting for a performance. Sound advice tho for a general birder.

Paul.

Hi Paul

I had no way of knowing your experience with nature but am surprised you have to ask on here for that kind of information, I have been involved with birds from childhood and through ringing groups and raptor study groups have made many contacts and have access to information that the 'general birding comunity' is not privvy to, that's why I assumed from your request that you hadn't been around nature long.
Marsh Harriers are widespread in East Anglia and I'm sure if any suitable habitat you come across on your travels is checked you will find harriers, wether they are displaying or not is down to the harriers though.
I have watched Marsh Harriers displaying at Cley and almost had the reserve to myself in the morning.
It's the same display over a reserve as it would be anywhere else and I certainly do not see it as a 'circus act' and think you are doing nature reserves a dis-service by that statement.

Cheers, John

[edgetop]

Hi John,
The general public are an excellent resource and always worth consulting. I have many contacts too and from my gamekeeping years have access to extremely delicate information which puts me in a difficult position.
Let's just say that certain conservation bodies have occasionally overstepped their status and seriously need to reconsider their techniques and atitudes when conversing with landowners etc. I myself have been on the receiving end of this while offering significant help, resulting in an irreversible outcome.

I have nothing against reserves, only some of the governing bodies and I simply prefer to view nature in a more 'wild' environment. Finding new pairs of species in new locations is my personal goal, I'm sure we share this sentiment.

All the best, Paul.

[edgetop]

Ringing is very rewarding and an excellent form of gaining knowledge and experience about birds, also, the use of scientific analytical methods and data, often accumulated by the public.

Cheers, Paul.

[Steve_G]

Nice exchange, gentlemen.

Full marks to John there, for pointing out the fundamentals.

I can also read ~ between the lines ~ exactly what Paul's saying. (I'm no fan either, Paul. Though I try to hide it, for diplomacies sake )

Nopers; If this were a political discussion and heading for a General Birders Election? I'd have to admit to being a staunch BTO supporter.

And I'd better end it there and go away for the night. I have 'partaken' and could become "Emotional" around this subject!