Spotted this guy on my way to my Bass mark. I think its a Marsh Harrier but im not sure

yep im pretty sure you are right ,what a lovely picture the first one is and ofcourse so are the rest too ,you must have a good eye for nature...

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dont you just love nature

Well to be honest I was in the passenger seat recovering from last night when my father spotted him in a field along side the road. I was lucky I had 300mm lens with me as he was never nearer than 100ms but I was able to snap off a few shots before he flew off. Beautiful bird, going to head down that way again to see if I can see him again..caught ****** all but couldn't care in the slightest

Well it's not a Montague's Harrier due to colouration. Could be a Marsh as you say, but both species are known to be migratory and should be overwintering in Africa.
The Hen Harrier is less so - southern Europe and has been known to remain behind where it's mild. So it get's my vote.

Pikey is correct,It Is a Hen Harrier female.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

That first photograph is amazing. Beautiful picture.

Yep, hen harrier. You are privileged to see them. There's a fair bit of grouse shooting in Cumbria -- I'll say no more, no accusations, but they would not be popular on a grouse moor. I don't want to get shot. More likely to be seen in Galloway than Cumbria, I would guess.
Have just dug out 'The Hen Harrier' by Donald Watson, C 1977. His distribution map for winter and breeding ranges of hen harriers in Europe shows Cumbria as a blank. Now I wonder why? Blank most af midlands and whole of south from mid-Wales/Cornwall right across to Norfolk/Kent.
TC

Why the emphasis on Cumbria TC? What do Watson's distribution maps show for the south of Ireland and of Co. Cork, which is where, I'm assuming, that stylie's excellent photo sequence was taken?

Pikey

In the seventies, the Hen Harrier had been exterminated in most of the border counties of Scotland/England and most Grouse moors I Believe it was harriers from Orkney that repopulated Scotland.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Sorry guys but its a Buzzard - all the female hen harriers have a white rump plus all the harriers are longer winged and tailed.

Nice piccy of a nice birdie

Cheers Steve Cooper