As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Thursday, 23 January 2014

Rare harriers arrive in record numbers to spend winter at Lakenheath Fen

Record numbers of two of the rarest British birds of prey have been baffling bird watchers at Lakenheath Fen.

On Sunday 29 marsh harriers and seven hen harriers (pictured here by Andy Hay, RSPB images)were seen at the RSPB reserve on the edge of Lakenheath but nobody is sure why they have turned up in such numbers.

Reserve information officer David White said: “Marsh harriers used to be summer visitors only and though more and more spend the winter here, 29 is unprecedented.

“Hen harriers breed on moorland, mainly in Scotland. In England they’re hanging on by a thread. The highest official record for them here is seven birds.”


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