Montagu's harrier seen on Safari

Bub-les · #1 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 05:07 PM

I kept seeing this beautiful bird when on Safari, the driver told me it was a Montagu's harrier. It tooh me a while but I managed this photo of a male having his lunch.

My book says that it can be a summer visitor to the UK and that it used to breed. Does anyone know if any have bred in the last few years?
Barbara

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 05:11 PM

First a great photo but your safari guide is lousy at identifying birds! It's not a harrier at all, but a Black-shouldered Kite.

Montagu's Harriers are a rare but annual breeder in UK breeding at various sites from Norfolk to Wiltshire; perhaps 6 or so pairs each year.

Bub-les · #3 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 05:15 PM

That could explain his reluctance to stop so that I could get photos of birds!
Thanks for the ID. They were very common.
Barbara

big bill · #4 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 06:49 PM

Nice pic Barbara you must have had a whale of a time there well done

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Great photo..Do you know what his lunch was.

JeffH · #6 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 07:22 PM

That's a nice shot Barbara, even if it's not what your driver said it was

As for its lunch, I wonder what your driver thought it was

Jeff

DavyG · #7 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 08:24 PM

Very nice pic Barbara.

I'm looking forward to reading your account of the safari.

I'd also be interested to know which company you booked through and about the accommodation.

Dave

Bub-les · #8 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 08:41 PM

I've had a look at the rest in the series of this bird and this next one shows lunch a little clearer

all I'd say is it looks like a rather hairy mammal probably a rodent maybe a rat judging by the tail.

and yes big bill I did have a whale of a time! I took nearly 2000 photos!
My son wants me to post them on a flicker site so I guess I'll do that and then post a link if I can so that you guys can have a look if you want rather than post non UK wildlife here
Thanks for the kind comments

Barbara

Bub-les · #9 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavyG

Very nice pic Barbara.

I'm looking forward to reading your account of the safari.

I'd also be interested to know which company you booked through and about the accommodation.

Dave

I'll pm you the details as I'd probably contravene the advertising policy if I posted it openly
Barbara