Did I see a Hen Harrier?

cfitz

Today I spent some time in a place recommended for seeing hen harriers. I'm not a regular birdwatcher and have never seen one before so didn't go there expecting success...

A brown bird flew from the conifers and glided downward across the path and on past me into the moor/low trees. It was brown and notable larger than, say, a blackbird (I'm no good at judging size in the air). The thing that makes me think it may have been a hen harrier is that its most notable feature was a white band between its body and tail.

But I would have thought it would look much bigger? This didn't appear significantly larger than a kestrel.
I couldn't say for certain it was a raptor. Is there another bird in the Slieve Blooms at this time of year that might fit the profile?

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks

Capercaillie

cfitz wrote: »

Today I spent some time in a place recommended for seeing hen harriers. I'm not a regular birdwatcher and have never seen one before so didn't go there expecting success...

A brown bird flew from the conifers and glided downward across the path and on past me into the moor/low trees. It was brown and notable larger than, say, a blackbird (I'm no good at judging size in the air). The thing that makes me think it may have been a hen harrier is that its most notable feature was a white band between its body and tail.

But I would have thought it would look much bigger? This didn't appear significantly larger than a kestrel.
I couldn't say for certain it was a raptor. Is there another bird in the Slieve Blooms at this time of year that might fit the profile?

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks

The white band is very noticeable. Slow gliding flight close to ground (10m). No hovering like kestrel. Look at some youtube videos of Hen Harrier in flight

cfitz

Capercaillie wrote: »

The white band is very noticeable. Slow gliding flight close to ground (10m). No hovering like kestrel. Look at some youtube videos of Hen Harrier in flight

Checked out some videos - seems consistent with what I saw. But the sighting was short enough that it's hard to say. It was certainly a very slow glide, but it was only for about 20 metres before it landed.

The only other bird I can think of that might fit what I saw is a kestrel but I see them regularly so I think I'd probably have picked out its features at such close range if it was.
So, on reflection, I think it likely was a hen harrier but still by no means sure.

Desmo

That white band is very distinctive and makes it sound like a HH alright.