LOVE is in the air at a Weymouth nature reserve to the delight of enthusiasts.

Workers at RSPB Radipole Lake are celebrating after discovering a pair of marsh harriers have begun to breed – the first in Dorset for nearly 50 years.

There are only 250 breeding pairs in the country and Weymouth is one of only three breeding sites in the South West.

The reserve’s unique location, just 10 minutes walk from the town centre, means the harriers are also the only ones in the country to breed in an urban setting.

Like many birds of prey in this country, the marsh harrier has suffered from persecution and poisoning by pesticides over a long period but are finally starting to make a comeback as the discovery at Weymouth shows.

The development was mentioned on the BBC Springwatch programme.

RSPB site manager Nick Tomlinson said: “This is so exciting.

“One or two harriers usually spend the winter with us but then move on in spring.

“We first suspected something was happening when we started to regularly see two birds ‘sky dancing’ – one diving at the other before locking talons and spinning in the air.

“That these iconic birds from a far away remote wilderness have chosen to breed in Weymouth is simply wonderful.”

The RSPB says although the marsh harrier population is increasing in parts of the country, they are still rare in this region.

Reserve information officer Claire Masson said: “People have been captivated by these birds. They’ve been watching prey being brought in and dropped in mid-air from one bird to another, a fantastic sight.”

During the next few months there will be guides in the reserve’s north hide who will be able to point out the birds to visitors.