Western Marsh Harrier: Nest & eggs

The Western Marsh Harrier builds its nest down in the reeds, unlike the raptors that nest in trees.

• Nest site: the nest is a platform of reeds and plant material placed on the ground or in the wet reeds, well hidden from view.
• Habitat: it is placed in larger reed-rich lowland lakes and in farmland with broad reed belts.
• Eggs and young: the female usually lays 4–5 eggs, which she incubates for 31–38 days while the male hunts and provides her with food.

The well-concealed ground nest in dense reeds protects the eggs from both ground predators and disturbance.

More about the Western Marsh Harrier

• Song & calls
• Breeding
• Diet
• In winter