Rare raptors return to region

A RARE pair of raptors have returned to the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (NNR), following a four-year long restoration project Reserve staff have been working to improve and expand seven hectares of reedbed in the hope of attracting Marsh harriers to the site. The project was sparked by the sighting of a pair in the summer of 2019, but their nest failed. Staff then set out to understand how the site could be improved to help the birds to return and breed successfully. Following visits to other sites and vegetation and hydrology surveys, it was suggested that the key to success would be to raise the water table, cut the old reeds to allow room for fresh reeds to grow, create open areas of water and increase the length of reedbed edge habitat. The years of effort paid off when last summer when a pair of marsh harriers nested at the site. Caerlaverock NNR manager Suzanne McIntyre commented: “It has been wonderful to see the impact on the water table and the increase in biodiversity. Dragonflies have been quick to colonise the new pools and there has also been an increase in snipe using the site. Last summer, the hard work paid off even further as a marsh harrier pair nested in the reedbed. “With the nest hidden in the reeds it is very difficult to get a good visual, but from closely observing flights in and out of the nest and from the number of birds we identified later in the season, we are confident that we had chicks fledge from the site. “This is a fantastic result as, to date, marsh harrier breeding has been scarce in Scotland. We hope to see the birds return this summer as the restored reedbed continues to recover.” Restoration work will continue, with the long-term goal being to eventually increase the extent of the reedbed from seven hectares up to 12 hectares.