Marsh Harrier prey

snake · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 08:40 PM

I sat watching a Marsh Harrier this afternoon, it was crossing an arable field and did not appear to be in hunting mode. There was a flock of gulls resting on the field which took very little notice of the harrier as it approached.
As the harrier flew over the flock it plunged down and grabbed one of the gulls. All the remaining gulls very noisily took to the air and a few of them started mobbing the harrier who took very little notice of them.
I have watched them take all sorts of prey over the years but this is the first time I have witnessed them taking gulls.

We live and learn.

A few long distance pics.

tigertom · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 09:00 PM

Nice shots there snake, have seen marsh harriers take waders a few times not surprised they will take gulls given the chance and by sound of it took them of guard as well.

MIKE

~T~ · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 09:02 PM

Great shots, I always think of gulls has having very few avian predators for some reason.

Jersali · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 09:37 PM

Terrific shots, right place at the right time eh?
Al

KentYeti · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 09:45 PM

Yes. Good shots of an unusual happening. Well caught Snake.

I wonder how the surviving gulls will now behave when they see a Harrier next.

Thanks again,

Cheers,

Bryan

PS. I guess you've been enjoying the Short Eared Owls too. Well, I really hope you have! I've had a couple of wonderful spells watching at Capel Fleet this week. Even got a fairly good photo in the brief spell of late sun on Thursday. I imagine we are all hoping a few of them stay put all winter!

Not seen much Harrier activity lately, but hopefully that will pick up soon.

snake · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 11:38 PM

Thank you for your replies, it was interesting to watch.

Bryan,
You guess right, there are Short eared owls all across the marsh.
This afternoon I watched nine birds hunting in the same field.
As long as we don't get a heavy fall of snow and the food source remains available they should stay all winter.
Plenty of photo opportunities right now.

Here's a few from the last few days.

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 13-11-2011, 05:42 AM

Stunning shots of the Short-eared Owls. Unfortunately I missed one at Cliffe yesterday- some people had very close views.

Interesting behaviour with the gulls- a Herring Gull is a formidable prey, taken by surprise here. I'm sure the other gulls will be warier now.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 13-11-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Interesting behaviour with the gulls- a Herring Gull is a formidable prey, taken by surprise here. I'm sure the other gulls will be warier now.

Its a Common Gull isnt it?

snake · #9 (**permalink**) 13-11-2011, 09:17 PM

Your right Dogghound, it was a Common gull.
Unusual prey item for a Marsh Harrier.

KentYeti · #10 (**permalink**) 14-11-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake

Thank you for your replies, it was interesting to watch.

Bryan,
You guess right, there are Short eared owls all across the marsh.
This afternoon I watched nine birds hunting in the same field.
As long as we don't get a heavy fall of snow and the food source remains available they should stay all winter.
Plenty of photo opportunities right now.

Here's a few from the last few days.

Where did you watch 9 SOEs yesterday snake?

I was at my usual spot on Harty Ferry Road about 500m NW of the Raptor View point all afternoon and all I got was one fly by quickly A serious change from earlier in the week! I wondered if the strong East wind was the reason. And I'm still struggling to get a real close up of one perching.

Maybe it's best if you have time, to PM me, rather than let me take your thread further off topic!

Cheers,

Bryan