31. The (Western) Marsh Harrier
NB. Remember to click on the photographs to enlarge the image . The Marsh Harrier is the largest of the European Harriers and, in my experience, is the one that is most commonly seen here in Cyprus. It is a little larger than the Common Buzzard, with longer and slightly narrower wings. A juvenile Marsh Harrier, newly arrived As its name suggests it is most frequently seen on low-lying marshy land, reed beds and coastal farmland. Scanning for likely prey It is a passage migrant in Cyprus, most commonly seen in Spring (March - May) and in Autumn (August - November), generally spending the winter in Africa. However there are usually individuals (particularly juveniles) that will be resident here all year round, and there are very few occasions when visiting Akrotiri Marsh that I have not seen one or more of them. The impressive wingspan and underwing colouring This winter there has been a juvenile bird resident in the Ayia Varvara valley, and ...