A pair of Marsh Harrier chicks can now be seen swooping through the skies alongside their parents, at the RSPB Dungeness.

The conservation charity is celebrating its second successful breeding season for the rare birds of prey at the reserve.

They are thought to have arrived around July 10, the second baby Harriers to be born at the reserve.

Newly fledged, the chicks are out of the nest and flying, although for the next couple of weeks they will stay with the adults whilst they learn to hunt.

Last year was the first time Marsh Harriers bred at Dungeness and workers at the reserve were anxious to see if the adult birds would return.

Bob Gomes, site manager at the reserve, said: “We all held our breath and hoped they’d be back this year and they haven’t disappointed.

“It’s great we’ve now got two juveniles hurtling about the place, watching them is just breathtaking.

“Dungeness is a good breeding spot for these birds at the moment but this will not be the case if Lydd airport is allowed to expand.

“The consequences for these birds and countless other wildlife would be terrible.”

Marsh Harriers are medium-sized hawks and the largest of the harriers, with long rounded tails, small beaks and long legs.

Egg persecution and the drainage of wetland sites saw its UK population fall to just one pair in 1971.

There are now around 360 breeding Marsh Harrier females in the UK, the highest number for 200 years.

But the bird remains Amber listed as a species of conservation concern, meaning they are at medium risk.