female head

female head female European distribution ringtail flying

Identification

Hen Harriers may glide slowly over the ground on V-shaped wings like Marsh Harriers but they are always smaller and slimmer. The male lacks the brown body of a Marsh Harrier and so looks almost completely grey, or even white, apart from the black wing tips and the smoky trailing edge to the wing. Females or immatures are slimmer and noticeably longer in the wing than Marsh Harriers and have obvious white rumps. Their barred tails earn them the nickname of 'ringtails'.

Habitat

Breeds on moorland and in young conifer plantations. Winters on moorland and on lowland fields, marshes and estuaries.

Behaviour

The male has a spectacular tumbling and somersaulting display. This involves diving steeply towards the ground then rearing up almost vertically before shooting downwards again. This can be repeated several times in quick succession.

Migration

Europe's northern and eastern populations are migratory, spending the winters in central and southern Europe. A few individuals have been recorded crossing the Mediterranean into north Africa and even the Middle East.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Hen Harrier is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Titterstone Clee Hill, Shrops 28/08/2010	undisc. site, Argyll 13/08/2010	undisc. site, Argyll 12/08/2010	undisc. site, Argyll 12/08/2010	undisc. site, Argyll 11/08/2010
undisc. site, Perth/Kinross 23/07/2010	undisc. site, Perth/Kinross 23/07/2010	undisc. site, Perth/Kinross 23/07/2010	undisc. site, Outer Hebrides 30/05/2010	undisc. site, Outer Hebrides 30/05/2010

 View all pictures of Hen Harrier

Bird News Extra subscribers can view a list of top sites for this species. To check prices, find out more, or to subscribe, click here.

Hen Harrier breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Britain
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
Ukraine

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob2610.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Hen Harrier	Edit this link
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	Natural England/RSPB: Caught on camera: Eagle Owl raids Hen Harrier nest	Wednesday 9th June 2010
	A newly confirmed threat to the beleaguered English Hen Harrier population?   read on
	RSPB: Hunt for the harrier	Friday 21st May 2010
	Public urged to help in fight to save England's Hen Harriers.   read on
	RSPB: Challenge to resolve Hen Harrier–Red Grouse conflict	Thursday 20th August 2009
	Conservationists call for review of the way crimes against wildlife are dealt with in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.   read on
	RSPB: Where are all the harriers?	Thursday 11th September 2008
	Numbers of Hen Harriers – England’s most threatened bird of prey - are flat-lining with no sign of a recovery.   read on
	RSPB: New study shows Hen Harriers and waders can live together	Thursday 7th August 2008
	Their principal songbird prey may be reduced.   read on
	RSPB: launches campaign to stamp out bird of prey slaughter	Tuesday 22nd April 2008
	Details of the new campaign, and a chance to download the latest report on bird-related crimes across the UK in 2006.   read on
	RSPB: Looking out for England's Hen Harriers	Thursday 6th March 2008
	Round-the-clock protection to safeguard future of these persecuted birds.   read on
	Hen Harrier shooting enquiry to go no further	Tuesday 6th November 2007
	CPS blame lack of evidence.   read on
	Hen Harriers shot on Royal Estate	Wednesday 31st October 2007
	Norfolk Constabulary seek witnesses.
	RSPB: Volunteers Rally to Help Safeguard Rare Birds	Thursday 14th June 2007
	A task force of volunteers has rallied round to help with a 24-hour security operation to watch over a pair of rare birds of prey.   read on
	England's 'Most Endangered Bird of Prey' Nests at North Pennines Site	Friday 27th June 2003
	Four young Hen Harriers - the most endangered bird of prey in England - have successfully flown from a nest in the North Pennines, the RSPB announced today.   read on
	Chicks for Hen Harrier Recovery Project	Thursday 8th August 2002
	English Nature's Hen Harrier Recovery Project has recorded a great success this year with the fantastic news that six young birds have been safely reared in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the first successful breeding of this endangered bird in the Dales for nine years.   read on
	Hope for Hen Harrier: English Nature encouraged by spring sightings	Wednesday 1st May 2002
	A new project aims to monitor and increase the English Hen Harrier population - can you help?   read on

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