SKY-DANCING MARSH HARRIERS

Norfolk, April

After a period of cold spring weather and some long studio sessions, there was an opportunity and a need a couple of weeks ago to get up to North Norfolk as a run of bright days were in prospect.

On the marshes at Burnham Norton there were tumbling lapwings, hares were active, and there were still flocks of wintering wildfowl.  And every scrape of water had tight groups of avocets dipping bills and vigorously chasing each other - the changing seasons could be seen clearly in the landscape and wildlife.

But the most breathtaking evocation of spring showed in the displaying marsh harriers.  With a large wingspan coupled with a low weight the birds have plenty of lift and is one of the main reasons they are able to perform their famous sky-dancing routines.  It was difficult to judge but I concluded there were two males and three female birds active over the one small area of reed and tangled willows at Burnham Norton.  The males often pair with two and occasionally three females, and pairs usually bond for a single breeding season but sometimes remain together for several years.