Marsh Harrier courtship dance

The church of St Mary the Virgin in Charlton-on-Otmoor, features a tall tower that acts as a beacon in the landscape.

In front of it are flying a pair of Marsh Harriers. The male is fine in his adult plumage, with distinctive grey, black and chestnut wings. The much larger female is chestnut brown all over with a distinctive pale cream head cap.

They are very distant, but it’s a thrill to watch them through binoculars as they swoop together in a coordinated aerial display.

I’m hoping to see a food-pass, as the male drops food from a height into the female’s talons.

I may have to wait a while. It isn’t a hardship.