18
were stopping to feed for a while on their
journey north. All the birds were now in
their smart Spring outfits, and perhaps
the most attractive were the resident male
Reed Buntings with their newly laundered
look of chestnut plumage accentuated by coal
black heads with brilliant white collars and
breasts. The first warblers were establish-
ing territories with their harsh repetitive
songs and the resonant booming of a Bittern
was adding to the sense of urgency.
While the Watchers were enjoying all this
resurgence of life, it became obvious that
the male Harrier was not bringing much food
to his mate, who, by now, was incubating her
clutch of eggs. He was hunting far afield,
and on one of his forays he disappeared alto-
gether. It was learned later that he had
mated with a second female further up the
coast and was now engaged in tending to her
needs.
It is quite normal for male Marsh Harriers
to have more than one mate, and usually they
are quite capable of helping to rear two
broods. However, this one apparently forgot
his primary female. Perhaps it was the
first year he had bred and was still learning.
But what of our deserted bird? Hunger was
driving her to hunt for food. Fortunately
the marsh provided enough small prey for her
needs and the eggs were not left for very
long periods.
This was sufficient until the eggs began to
hatch. When she eventually had four rap-
acious appetites to appease, as well as her