Marsh Harrier Welfare and Wetland Conservation

The marsh harrier is the UK's most common harrier species and a remarkable conservation success story, recovering from a single breeding female in 1971 to over 400 breeding females through wetland protection and legal safeguards.

Key Facts

Marsh harriers were reduced to a single breeding female in the UK in 1971 due to pesticide use and persecution
Recovery to over 400 breeding females has occurred through legal protection and improved wetland habitat
Marsh harriers nest in reedbeds and hunt over wetlands, marshes, and agricultural land
They are now expanding beyond traditional wetland strongholds into agricultural landscapes
Illegal persecution including egg collection and shooting remains a threat in some areas

Welfare Considerations

Marsh harrier welfare improved dramatically with the elimination of organochlorine pesticides that caused eggshell thinning and reproductive failure. Current welfare concerns include illegal persecution, disturbance at nest sites particularly through drone use and irresponsible wildlife photography, and loss of wetland foraging habitat through drainage. Nesting marsh harriers are sensitive to human disturbance during incubation, and flushing birds from nests can expose eggs and chicks to predation.

What You Can Do

Report suspected raptor persecution to the RSPB Investigations Unit or police
Support organizations acquiring and managing wetland habitat for marsh harriers
Practice responsible wildlife watching at appropriate distances with minimal disturbance
Advocate for stronger penalties for raptor persecution in UK law
Contribute marsh harrier sightings to the BTO BirdTrack monitoring scheme