Hen Harrier carrying prey

[feathered-friend]

I Spotted what I think was a hen harrier today.

We stood directly beneath the BOP, what struck me was its colouring, very light grey, black wing tips and reminded me of a sea gull.

Rather than flapping its wings and heading in a straight direction, it was gliding and soaring in circles.

It was also carrying some sort of prey in its talons.

Do not know much about BOP's so Can anyone tell me does this sound like the behaviour of this bird, would it be carring the prey off to eat in another field or a tree somewhere. We have alot of open countryside around us, including farmland, woods, lakes; Is this the sort of habitat they would frequent?

[Dogghound]

Sounds like a male hen harrier, they will feed in a different area, especially if it is unsafe or are disturbed. They tend to winter in these lowland areas and usually breed in more hilly, moorland open habitats.

[aeshna5]

A few weeks ago I spent a weekend birding in NW France + had superb views of a male Hen Harrier hunting over a field + came closer + hunted along the grass verge infront of us while we drove along. An incredibly close encounter with this stunning bird.

[Tringa]

Agree with DH, it sounds like a male hen harrier.

Have a look at this video. The quality is not good but it has quite a few views of a male.

Hen Harriers | NowPublic Video Archives

Dave

[feathered-friend]

Thanks for the replies, Dogghound, Aeshna and Tringa have checked out the video and am sure it was a male hen harrier now. cheers

[solus]

He might also have been carrying food for the female, either as part of the mating ritual or (although it's probably a bit early for this) while she is sitting on eggs or has chicks to feed.

[feathered-friend]

i have spotted the hen harrier several times in the last couple of weeks.

One time I saw it circling so high in the sky, it was barely a dot on the camera screen.

yesterday it was hunting along the edge of the field in front of our house and later I saw it circling around a large tree at the back of the house where the bird feeders are.

I assume it is breeding locally otherwise I would have thought it would have moved away by now?

Can someone tell me , Do they nest on the ground or high in trees?, how would I best recognise the female? and would they take small songbirds from the garden or stick with mainly small mammals ?

Thanks

[aeshna5]

Usually they nest on the ground, though they have been recorded using trees in Irland, but this is exceptional. The female is brownish with breast streaking (check through images on WAB for photo of one) with a white rump.

They prey on small birds- Meadow Pipits a favourite- as well as small mammals.