free flash templates on free flash templates

Marsh Harrier

Scientific Name: Circus aeruginosus
Maltese Name: Baghadan Ahmar
Family: Hawks, vultures and eagles (Accipitridae)
Occurence: Common Migrant
Breeds in Malta: No

Overview:
This is the largest and heaviest harrier, with the shortest tail. The male's plumage is distinctive; pale grey with dark tips underneat and rufous back and body. The female is dark brown with golden patches on the head and shoulders.
As its name suggests, the Marsh Harrier spends most of its life hunting around marshes. The Marsh Harrier's diet consists mainly of waterside birds and animals such as voles, moles and rabbits. The Marsh harrier nests in dry fields close to a marsh. The female may lay up to 8 eggs but the mortality rate is very high because of predation and flooding.

Status:
Common Migrant, both in Spring and Autumn. In Autumn it is seen in very large numbers, mainly in September, migrating in flocks. A good peak-day for Marsh Harrier in Autumn may mean seeing up to 400 birds while a on really good peak day up to 700 Marsh Harriers are seen. An exceptionallly good year was the year 2002 when on a peak day an approximate total of 1000 Marsh Harriers was seen.

When to See:
March till May and August till November.

Where to See:
In Spring is usually seen flying low above fields. Good place to see Marsh Harrier in spring is at Luqa Airfield. In Autumn it is seen migrating, usually high in the sky. It is also seen roosting in large numbers in wooded areas and valleys with reeds. Buskett is the best place to see migrating and roosting Marsh Harriers in autumn.

Photographs:

Adult Male Marsh Harrier, Dwejra (Malta).


Male Marsh Harrier, Luqa Airfield Female Marsh Harrier, Ghadira Nature Reserve
Sub-Adult Male Marsh Harrier, Buskett Male Marsh Harrier from Above, Simar Nature Reserve


Adult Female Marsh Harrier, Luqa Airport.


Back to Bird Species List