Marshes, barrens and bogs
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Female resting on bramble at Chambers Farm Wood in Lincolnshire (UK) (3702) - prolific numbers again this year at this site.
Marsh Harrier - Circus Aeruginosus
The marsh harriers are birds of prey of the harrier subfamily. They are medium-sized raptors and the largest and broadest-winged harriers. Most of them are associated with marshland and dense reedbeds. They are found almost worldwide, excluding only the Americas.
It hunts small mammals, frogs, fish, insects and birds, surprising them as it drifts low over fields and reedbeds. Its long legs allow it to pluck frogs and fish from the water mid-swoop. The western marsh harrier is a typical harrier, with long wings held in a shallow V in its low flight. It also resembles other harriers in having distinct male and female plumages, but its plumages are quite different from those of its relatives. The male has wings with grey and brown sections and black wingtips. Its head, tail and underparts are greyish, except for the chestnut belly. The female is mainly brown with a cream crown and cream leading edge to her wings. It is 19-22 inches long and weighs 1-2 lbs.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Marsh harrier was hunted to extinction in the United Kingdom. After being reintroduced from other regions, its population steadily increased until DDT threatened it, along with other raptors, in the 50's and 60's. Since, the population has slowly and steadily increased.
Its future in the UK is now more secure than at any time during the last century, but historical declines and subsequent recovery means it is an Amber List species. Marsh harriers are a Schedule 1 listed bird on The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
UK Population:
Approx 400 Pairs
The marsh at Lake St Clair Metropark remains frozen today, but warmer days will come soon.
Red-winged Blackbirds are present, but not singing in the marsh yet.
drove over the bridge to the other side of our bay to Coyote Hills park with its hills and boulders and baylands
Here is one of a pair of Marsh Rabbits, seen at Celery Fields, Florida.
My wife remained at the gazebo on the boardwalk, while I walked about a mile to look for a bird (shrike) that had been spotted in another location. I found the shrike, and a pair of Marsh Rabbits.
There was a commotion at the gazebo when I returned. Everyone was fixated on an unused nesting platform in the center of the marsh. My wife explained that an eagle had landed there only moments before, and had proceeded to make mincemeat out of its prey--a marsh rabbit...
Two surprising facts about Marsh Rabbits (from my field guide): "They swim well, and sometimes walk on their hind legs." (I'd like to see that )!
Marsh Harrier - Circus Aeruginosus
Norfolk
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Last picture I publish this year. This one was taken last august. The colour of the background was caused by heather in bloom. Happy New Year everybody!
The marsh boardwalk at Point Pelee National Park in southwestern Ontario gives visitors a chance to get up close with nature. A variety of birds and animal species can be observed as one wanders along the boardwalk. And the observation tower gives a wonderful view of the expansive beauty of this lush natural environment.
Image taken in the Toledo region of Spain.
Many thanks to everyone that views and comments on my images - very much appreciated.
Wikipedia: The marsh sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) is a small wader. It is a rather small shank, and breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from easternmost Europe to the Russian Far East.
The marsh sandpiper breeds in the Palearctic. It is a migratory species, with a majority of birds wintering in Africa and India, and some migrating to Southeast Asia and Australia. They prefer to winter on fresh water wetlands such as swamps and lakes and are usually seen singly or in small groups.
Marsh sandpipers are rare vagrants to North America, with most records in Alaska and California. The first marsh sandpiper recorded in Canada was found on 30 April 2022 in Thedford, Lambton County, Ontario by James Holdsworth, and attracted over a thousand birders from Ontario and Michigan, as well as birders from as far away as Texas and Washington State.
Conservation status: Least Concern
Timely late autumn capture of this active family @ Springbrook Nature Center.. central Minnesota region.
Rohrweihe /Western Marsh Harrier / Aguilucho lagunero occidental / Busard des roseaux /
Circus aeruginosus
Bird of prey flic.kr/s/aHsmVXK5tC
Marsh Sandpiper.
(Kruger National Park, RSA)
Hope you will enjoy this photo.
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Deadvlei called dead marsh was believed to be formed 600-700 years ago.The clay pan was formed after rainfall, when the Tsauchab river flooded. The flood created pools of water where the camel thorn trees grew. When the climate changed the trees died. They are not petrified but the wood does not decompose because it its so dry.
Similar to the more scarce willow tit,the MarshTit can be identified by its distinctive 'Peechoo ' call.
Taken in my local woodland.