Marsh Harriers & Barn Owls - 11th June 2026

Rain was due by late morning but some of these Harriers were getting quite large so we took our chance.

There were 4 in the nest, three being quite well grown with the last to hatch rather lagging behind. All were ringed, but due to the size of the fourth chick it was decided not to tag it.

Handling raptors can be so variable. Red Kites, even adults, will just sat in your lap, and be non-aggressive, an indication of their main hunting strategy of scavenging, whereas Marsh Harriers are very aggressive, very active live prey takers, with one of the chicks giving an example of bill use, as it went for the hand, twisted it bill in a tearing motion opening up a small area of the hand.

Smallest chick

Largest chick

All four were returned to the nest.

Then onto a field barn where there were 5 well grown young owls in a box. Again Barn Owls, are relatively unaggressive, apart from occasionally trying to stick their talons onto to you, Tawny Owls can be the opposite, and adults need to be treated with a bit more caution due to their more aggressive nature. 

All five could be ringed.

The youngest of the first Barn Owl brood.

There had been an option for a second check for nesting waders, but the 

vegetation defeated us as the weather began to close in.

The last stop was to a Barn Owl box in a farm yard. The two chicks weren't of a suitable size for ringing yet and had to be left for another day. An Adult was captured at the box and subsequently ringed. By this time rain had set in, earlier than forecast but at least we'd achieved our main objectives.

Totals: 10

Barn Owl - 6 (1 adult and 5 chicks from another brood)

Marsh Harrier - 4 (Three also wing tagged)