Marsh Harrier? Aberdeenshire, Scotland 18.6.22 (1 Viewer)

[Andy Strachan]

Hi guys,

Taken this afternoon I think I've got a Marsh harrier here in these images. The bird's a bit haggard looking. Is it a moulting female or juvenile (female?)? There are one or two short grey feathers on it.
First time I've actually seen one. They're fairly regular at a local RSPC site but I've always missed them.

 

[tconzemi]

Marsh indeed

 

[Andy Strachan]

Juvenile?

 

[Butty]

Underwing-coverts are dark(ish), and it's in heavy active flight-feather- and tail-moult, so I'd take it to be 1 year old (or 2 years old??) - and either female or unsexable?

 

[KC Foggin]

I go with Marsh Harrier.

 

[Rotherbirder]

2cy, probably male going by grey replacement feathers in wings & tail?

RB

 

[Andy Strachan]

2cy, probably male going by grey replacement feathers in wings & tail?

RB

Ah OK, that sounds like it makes sense. I thought juvenile because I thought the grey feathers were possibly old juvenile feathers that were being replaced. But I haven't much experience with moults etc at all.
Thanks

 

[Butty]

I thought the grey feathers were possibly old juvenile feathers that were being replaced.

Note that the grey/dark feathers that Rother (correctly) refers to are only the single tail-feather and a single outer secondary (or inner primary?) in each wing. The other pale bits are just feather-bases showing where the overlying feathers have been lost.

 

[Andy Strachan]

Note that the grey/dark feathers that Rother (correctly) refers to are only the single tail-feather and a single outer secondary (or inner primary?) in each wing. The other pale bits are just feather-bases showing where the overlying feathers have been lost.

Yeah, that's the ones I was referring to also. All makes sense now. Like I say, little experience on my side. Thanks.

It's good when not only are you seeing a bird for the first time, but you learn something at the same time.