Black and White bird in Dorset

[ScoobyVic]

Hi, I was driving home through the Dorset Countryside this evening and saw a bird I have never seen before. I normally know what most birds are as I do have a fairly keen interest especially in birds of prey.

This bird had a white body, white wings tapering into black at the ends and they seemed to flare out like fingers at the tip of the wings. It looked like it was catching food as it was flying upside down and all over the place.

I live near Christchurch if this is relevant?

Any help appreciated
Vicky

[Naturenutz]

What size vicky ?

[RobinP]

Could be male Hen Harrier.

[ScoobyVic]

I'd have to say bigger than a pigeon but not as big as a Buzzard, it was strange, the tips of the wings kinda flared out?

[ScoobyVic]

I have just googled male hen harrier and have to say it looks extremely similar, i'm pretty sure thats what it was. Are they rare or quite common? Thanks for your help by the way

[Picidae]

Are you sure it wasn't a Lapwing? Hen Harriers have a tend to have a heavy slowish wing flap, hunt low over the ground (for ground birds/mammals) in a methodical fashion and not really in the manner described. Lapwing on the other hand are often 'mistaken' for BOP, have a fast agile flight with lots of twists and turns - often seen over fields in breeding season and male display flight very very similar to what you describe. The ends of the wings of Lapwing 'flare' out and look slightly odd as you suggest.

http://bird-photos.art-scene.org/wp-...-lapwing-2.jpg

Galleriet - Netfugl.dk

[nigel_b]

I agree with Pic! Did it look like two table tennis bats flapping away, which is how lapwings are sometimes described?

[ScoobyVic]

That looks more like it It had more black than the male hen harrier and deffo looked like a lapwing. Very pretty bird

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by ScoobyVic

That looks more like it It had more black than the male hen harrier and deffo looked like a lapwing. Very pretty bird

Its even prettier on the ground in full sunlight when it is iridescent green.

[ScoobyVic]

Yeah i've Googled some more pictures, didn't realise it had other colours on it too as I only saw black and white, no other colours at all, is that because it was flying?