Eastern Marsh Harriers breed at Yeyahu Nature Reserve in Beijing. They are one of the star birds of any visit from late March through to October. The spring males are simply stunning and quite different from the closely-related Western Marsh Harrier, some almost resembling one of the other regional specialities, Pied Harrier. Adult females also look very different from Western Marsh and, in my experience, it is only really juveniles/first winters/probable 2 cy birds that could be mistaken for Western Marsh.
I couldn’t find any literature on aging or sexing Eastern Marsh Harriers (is there any out there?). So here are some images of adult males, females, a probable first summer and juvenile birds with some personal comments. Comments from others are very welcome. Having had a bit of difficulty separating a dark juvenile Pied recently, I have much to learn about these wonderful raptors.
Eastern Marsh Harrier (adult male), Yeyahu NR, May 2012. Spring males are hard to beat!Eastern Marsh Harrier (adult male), Yeyahu NR, April 2012Eastern Marsh Harrier (adult female), Yeyahu NR, Beijing, April 2012. Paired with the male above.Eastern Marsh Harrier (first summer male or female?), Miyun Reservoir, Beijing, April 2012. Similar to juvenile plumage (below) but primaries have been moulted – note the light barring. A pale breast-band is a feature of juvenile and probable 2cy birds.Eastern Marsh Harrier (juvenile), Yeyahu NR, Beijing, September 2012Eastern Marsh Harrier (juvenile). Same bird as above showing upperparts. Compare the extent of pale markings with the bird below. Does this variation indicate sex?Eastern Marsh Harrier (juvenile – male or female?), Yeyahu NR, September 2012.Eastern Marsh Harrier (juvenile). Same as above. Do the extensive pale markings indicate sex or is the difference in juvenile plumage just natural variation?
Thanks Ken. I wasn’t aware of the Finnish bird but, having just looked it up on BirdForum, I have to say that it looks pretty good! I don’t know for sure whether Western can look like that (I certainly haven’t seen a Western looking anything like the Finnish bird) but I can say that the lack of a dark trailing edge on the underwing is ok for male Eastern (as my bird shows). Interesting!
We hardly ever see the adults here in Hong Kong, where Eastern Marsh Harriers are winter visitors. Lots of fun to separate them from immature Pied during migration !
Thanks John. Yes, now is a great time to get to grips with juveniles.. Structure is a clue (Pied being slimmer and smaller headed/billed) but that’s not always obvious on a lone individual, especially in varying weather conditions. Lots to learn!
Very timely, with there being a very recent record from Finland. Those adult males do look striking.
Thanks Ken. I wasn’t aware of the Finnish bird but, having just looked it up on BirdForum, I have to say that it looks pretty good! I don’t know for sure whether Western can look like that (I certainly haven’t seen a Western looking anything like the Finnish bird) but I can say that the lack of a dark trailing edge on the underwing is ok for male Eastern (as my bird shows). Interesting!
We hardly ever see the adults here in Hong Kong, where Eastern Marsh Harriers are winter visitors. Lots of fun to separate them from immature Pied during migration !
Thanks John. Yes, now is a great time to get to grips with juveniles.. Structure is a clue (Pied being slimmer and smaller headed/billed) but that’s not always obvious on a lone individual, especially in varying weather conditions. Lots to learn!
Hi Terry, with regard to aging , it’s complicated! Teruoki Moriaka is your man. With his help, I had a go at unraveling some of the complexities. My efforts are here: http://digdeep1962.blogspot.com/2011/03/23-24-feb-2011-eastern-marsh-harriers.html and here: http://digdeep1962.blogspot.com/2011/03/23-24-feb-2011-eastern-marsh-harriers_28.html and here:http://digdeep1962.blogspot.com/2011/03/23-24-feb-2011-pied-harriers-ulu-dedap.html and here:http://digdeep1962.blogspot.com/2011/04/harrier-identification-revisited.html!!
Have fun!
Dave
Thanks Dave – super images and very instructive. I can’t wait for that raptor guide to emerge!