FOR the first time in 50 years a pair of marsh harriers is breeding in Poole Harbour and has produced young.

The birds of prey, the largest of the harriers and once a common site flying over the harbour, are breeding in the reed beds around the Wareham Channel.

In the 1950s the harbour boasted 60 per cent of the entire UK population of breeding Marsh Harrier but by 1963 there were none.

Extinct as a breeding bird in Dorset until 2010, a pioneer pair successfully raised young at an RSPB nature reserve in Weymouth and today the only other pair in the county are at Lodmoor.

It is thought that human intrusion, egg collecting, shooting and flooding were the main causes for their demise 50 years ago with the pesticide DDT causing the final blow.

But with careful habitat man-agement and better protection, the birds are making a remark-able comeback across the whole country and their return has been welcomed in Dorset.

“This is spectacular news,” said Paul Morton from the Birds of Poole Harbour charity. We can have anything up to six marsh harrier in Poole Harbour during the winter, but these birds all head back to mainland Europe or further east in the spring to breed.

“The fact a pair has finally decided to take the plunge and stay hopefully means others will follow suit in the coming years.”

He said the management of habitats was crucial for such species and Natural England, the RSPB and landowners put much time and effort into creating suitable environments.

Landowner Ray Hegarty said: “I get great satisfaction from helping the wildlife on my land and the arrival of these birds is a great testament to the protection I’m trying to provide for all wildlife.”

Dante Munns, RSPB reserves manager for Dorset, said this demonstrated the importance of protecting special places like the harbour, which faced numerous pressures.

Monitoring the birds

Local harrier expert Peter Hadrill has been monitoring the nest site daily since mid-April with the aim of writing a full report right up to when the young fledge and leave.

The report will be available on the Birds of Poole Harbour website at birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk