montagu's harrier

Busard cendré - Circus pygargus - Montagu's Harrier

a speciality bird of the plaine de Bivre, although numbers are declining throughout the years.

A Palearctic migrant in Ethiopia.

Last shot I'll share of that Montagu's Harrier. The best of the ones I took through the driver's window. People were getting restless and every passenger move rocked the bus. I tried to steady myself against the handrail by the steps, and also tried to be quick so as not to strain the others'...

Last one of the Montagu's through the tinted bus window (tinted window of the bus, that is; not the clear window of a tinted bus). Here he's turned his attentions back to his prey, giving us a glimpse of his white rump. Tomorrow I may share two taken through the driver's open window, and by...

One more of the Montagu's through the tinted bus window. Panting in the heat and checking the sky.

One more of the Montagu's through the tinted bus window. Panting in the heat.

was this Montagu's Harrier that had landed with prey right by the road just ahead of our bus. The first shots I'll share of him were taken through the tinted windows. Then the bird flew up, only to land just as near the road a few meters further along. Our driver eased the bus alongside again...

Another lifer from the steppe hill, and not a bad flight shot from my slow-focusing camera. But I did get better shots of a Montagu's the next day.

Montagu's Harrier; ad male. Priche, Berry. May 2013.

Or is it possibly a Pallid?, been contacted since I posted these as the bird may be a possible Pallid, sent larger images off for verification

I managed only 4 frames before this bird swooped down below the dunes and out of sight

Coming in for a better view...

Lots of juvenile, sub-adults and adult birds are now back in their territories in SW Andalucia this week. It's great to watch them hunting and displaying each Spring!

Last of these - at bit more carefully processed !

I've been wanting to get close to one of these for ages, their generally being scarce passage migrants in these parts. This one was unsuccesfully hunting greenshank gathered around a large puddle.

male, second year

female