Hen Harrier

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

This bird is often seen in open countryside well away from human habitation. The female and male are very different from each other. They are a magnificent sight at any time and can usually be spotted when other birds are attacking them to move them away from their own areas. We saw these being regularly mobbed by local gulls. Early evening is usually a good time to see them. We parked the car in a remote location where they are known to be present, then we just waited....

They fly low quartering the ground in search of small animals and mammals. In the spring the male and females can often be viewed ‘dancing’ in the skies. They nest on the ground laying 4 - 6 eggs which hatch after 30 days.