Marsh harrier chicks celebrating life in Northumberland.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce that up to four Marsh Harrier chicks have recently fledged at its East Chevington reserve.

What makes this breeding even more exciting is the fact that this is the first confirmed breeding of Marsh Harriers in Northumberland since circa 1880. This latest news come hot of the heels of the first successful rearing of Osprey chick at Kielder for over 100 years.

The breeding is also excellent confirmation of the success of the reed beds on this reserve, in particular those at the Chibburn end of the site. These habitats are still developing on site following its return from opencast mining in the 1990s.

A female marsh harrier can lay up to eight eggs but four is the usual clutch.  They nest on the ground in reedbeds or over shallow water.  Their breeding area stretches across northern and eastern Europe and in winter they move to the Mediterranean area or West Africa, although some remain in Eastern England or the Low Countries.

The marsh harrier was once a widespread bird in the UK but stopped breeding here in the late nineteenth century returning in reduced numbers to Norfolk in the 1920’s.  Since that time, their numbers have fluctuated – with declines in the 1960s and 70s linked to pesticide use.

In the UK they are currently a reasonably common sight in East Anglia and have been seen ‘en passage’ in the Northumberland area but until this summer, none has ever been confirmed as having bred here. The chicks have now been ringed to help ornithologists monitor their movements.

Duncan Hutt, head of land management at Northumberland Wildlife Trust said: “This is fantastic news for these magnificent birds and is a wonderful follow on from the successful breeding of the ospreys at Kielder after a 200 year wait.”

He continued: “The reedbeds at the East Chevington reserve where the chicks were hatched are attracting a growing number of birds. In addition to Marsh Harriers, reed bunting and sedge warblers are breeding here and the reedbeds along the bay are attracting an increasing number of bitterns in winter. We are working closely with local bird recorders to ensure the safety of the chicks but also to monitor the success of other birds here.”

Ian Fisher, local ornithologist added: “It is tremendous to have these birds breeding again in Northumberland after 130 years. It vindicates the hard work by Northumberland Wildlife Trust and all the volunteers, who over the years, have worked very hard to get the reedbed up and running.”

He concluded: “Should the birds return in future years, a close eye will be kept on them to ensure they have the best possible chance of successful breeding again in the county.”

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