'Hovering' Marsh Harrier - Wirral UK (yesterday) (1 Viewer)

RichieTwitchy

YNWA

• Sep 9, 2019

• #1

Hi all

I am certain this is a Marsh Harrier but is montage 2 that the same Harrier 'hovering'?

I know birds don't 'really' hover as such and just use the wind to keep position, but do Marsh Harriers regularly hover or is this another bird?

The thing is, I put down my camera when the Harrier disappeared from shot and only noticed this other bird, which 'hovered' for a full minute or so, a little later and at first I just thought it was a common Kestrel - I was using a 300 lens so couldn't make a full identification in the field.

Any help appreciated as always.

cheers

 

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T

Tikli

Well-known member

• Sep 9, 2019

• #2

Marsh Harriers hover regularly, for example when catching prey.

 

Last edited: Sep 9, 2019

RichieTwitchy

YNWA

• Sep 9, 2019

• #3

Tikli said:

Marsh harriers hover regularly, for excample when catching prey.

Click to expand...

Cheers Tikli - I did not know that :t:

 

Richard Dale

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2019

• #4

Marsh harriers do hover briefly from time to time, but the bird in the second set of images is a common kestrel - note the much narrower hand with fewer 'fingers' and proportionally longer tail than the juvenile marsh harrier in the first set of photos.

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Sep 10, 2019

• #5

Beautiful juvenile Marsh Harrier and Common Kestrel indeed.

 

rollingthunder

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2019

• #6

I have seen them hover, abroad, a number of times and soaring on migration in small groups and mixed with other raptors:t:

Laurie -

 

RichieTwitchy

YNWA

• Sep 10, 2019

• #7

Richard Dale said:

Marsh harriers do hover briefly from time to time, but the bird in the second set of images is a common kestrel - note the much narrower hand with fewer 'fingers' and proportionally longer tail than the juvenile marsh harrier in the first set of photos.

Click to expand...

Cheers for that - and thanks for the extra info :t:

Valéry Schollaert said:

Beautiful juvenile Marsh Harrier and Common Kestrel indeed.

Click to expand...

It was a really nice experience watching them in that habitat - who needs hides ha ha

rollingthunder said:

I have seen them hover, abroad, a number of times and soaring on migration in small groups and mixed with other raptors:t:

Laurie -

Click to expand...

Good to know - thanks :t: