Leucistic Marsh Harrier at Slimbridge

 I decided to visit WWT Slimbridge today and brave the chaos that Storm Lillian was causing to the road network in South Wales. The Severn Bridge had been closed due to the very high winds and as I made my way from Newport along the M4 I soon hit a big queue of traffic at Magor. The good thing was that the traffic was slowly moving and after about thirty minutes eventually made it over the Prince of Wales Bridge. Then it was straight forward reaching WWT Slimbridge. I was greeted on arrival by sunshine and a blue sky with a few clouds. The wind had dropped and it was turning out to be a lovely morning to do a bit of birdwatching.

I entered the nature reserve through the members side gate and soon bumped into a number of friendly birders and WWT Volunteers who I have got to know over the years. I like Slimbridge a lot and there is always a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

I checked out the various hides. The Rushy Hide is always a favourite and it was great to see on one of the small islands four Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank.

Overall though the reserve was quiet. A pretty decent high tide was a few hours away and I hoped it would bring in something exciting.

After wandering throughout the reserve and enjoying the various exhibit birds such as the Flamingoes that were all out of their enclosures as they were being cleaned I eventually arrived at the Zeiss Hide.

From this hide you get panoramic views over grassland that leads into pools that border the estuary. This area is a hotspot for waders, cranes and various wildfowl. It also attracts its fair share of birds of prey.

I then had a conversation with one of my Slimbridge friends volunteer Mike Davis who asked me if I was aware of the Black and White Marsh Harrier that had been seen recently frequenting the reserve. On the X (Twitter) side of things I've been taking a break from the various bird reports so admitted I had no idea what he was talking about. It was certainly very interesting. Mike told me that this Harrier was one of two leucistic juveniles that had fledged from RSPB Otmoor in Oxfordshire.

After about five minutes had passed someone in the hide pointed out at a strange coloured black and white bird that was flying out across the grassland and said "Oh, what is that?". Amazingly, it was the Leucistic Marsh Harrier that was heading straight at the waders and ducks roosting on the lagoons.

Frustratingly it flew further and further away and occasionally teased us all in Zeiss with distant flypasts.

The whole thing was very tantalising and I hoped it would get closer eventually. Then my good friend Paul Joy rang me. Throughout my conversation with him I kept a close eye on the Harrier. It threatened on a few occasions to drift nearer but eventually it vanished from sight.

I finished the call with Paul and as things had gone a bit quiet decided to update my bird list on Bird Track. Within seconds there were cries of " Its back . Its close". I scrambled quickly and grabbed my camera raised it towards the direction of excited birders and there was the pied raptor swooping towards me. The beautiful bird swept past me on magnificently marked wings of black and white.

The Harrier headed again towards a flock of Lapwings and ducks and dived down and landed at the waters edge. The lapwings went mad and began to mob the intruder in earnest.

On this occasion the Harrier was not successful. The Marsh Harrier hung around for a while quartered some more before eventually doing the disappearing act again and swooping away towards the Estuary Tower. I  understand that later it was seen at the Rushy Hide.

I have made a short video that can be found on my You Tube Channel.

Another fantastic day at Slimbridge. A great birding memory to cherish.

Also more on - https://theglosterbirder.co.uk

There is a good post on Bird Guides about the leucistic Marsh Harriers from Oxfordshire.