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Species Marsh harrier - Circus aeruginosus, bird
Habitat REEDBED
Background and status The marsh harrier nests in the reedbeds of fens and marshes of Britain and Europe. Not many stay in Britain to winter after the breeding season - those who do stay are mostly female and tend to stay around coastal areas. The rest move south to winter in warmer climates.

It was once widespread in Britain, but it declined due to the effects of drainage on its habitat, and persecution, and ceased to breed by the end of the 19th century. The species re-established itself in Britain by the late 1920s and it slowly increased in numbers up to the late 1950s. There was a rapid decline during the 1960s (probably due to mortality from ingestion of organochlorine pesticides) but the marsh harrier enjoyed swift recovery from the early 1970s.

Main Threats

Loss of nests/young due to agricultural operations

Pesticides

Persecution

Disturbance

Predation
Conservation and targets

To maintain marsh harrier as a UK breeding species.

To continue the increase in numbers to 250 nests and expansion of range into other suitable areas by the year 2000.
  Contribution from RSPB

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