Kim Cessford, Courier, - 05.05.11 - Marsh Harriers have been spotted at the RSPB Loch Kinnordy Resreve on the outskirts of Kirriemuir - pictured are volunteers at the reserve l to r - Ruth and David Birch and Bruce Anderson
Marsh harriers could breed this year at an Angus nature reserve for the first time since records began, experts have suggested.
The birds regularly visit Loch of Kinnordy, near Kirriemuir, in the summer season but they are still extremely rare and it is estimated that there are only 360 breeding females in the UK.
But in recent weeks, a couple has been seen over the loch, meaning that excitement is building among staff as to what the coming months could hold.
Kim Ross, assistant warden at the reserve, said, “Things are looking really positive with lots of nest material gathering and food passes being seen regularly by both staff and visitors.
“It really is something amazing to see. A pair of marsh harriers was seen at the reserve last year but they have never bred here before.”
The male of the pair has been tagged and identified as a bird that fledged on the Tay in 2009.
Great efforts have been made on the part of charities such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to conserve marsh harriers a species which became extinct in the UK in the late 19th century and is still making a recovery.
