Western Marsh Harrier

Lifespan: 13-16 years

Breeding: Usually, breeding takes place May to June. Nests are built on the ground in tall, dense vegetation, such as meadows, cereal fields, reed beds, scrublands and young coniferous plantations. The nest is a small, narrow, 20-40-cm-wide platform made of grass stems or thin twigs. The female usually lays 3-5 eggs. The young leave the nest in 30-40 days and, after two more weeks, begin to hunt alone, initially feeding on insects.

Appearance: A grey hawk-like bird with pointed and very long wings and a long tail. The belly and axillaries have brown stripes. Wings have four ‘fingers’ within the black primary remiges. When viewed from above, the body and wings are of a grey colour with black tips. A characteristic black stripe within the length of the wing up to the black primary remiges. The eyes and legs are light yellow. The female has brown speckles.