leucistic Marsh Harrier? (1 Viewer)

[Stephen Dunstan]

At Pilling Lane Ends, Lancs today I was watching the waders and wildfowl when a Marsh Harrier went east across the marsh.

Nothing too unusual about that, they are dispersing from Leighton Moss at this time of year. What was unusual was the extensive white on both underparts and upperparts. The head was unaffected however, and it had a standard cream coloured crown of a female / immature Marsh Harrier.

Anybody have experience of similar birds. I guess it would have to be leucistic.

 

[HH75]

Hi Stephen,
If there was extensive WHITE(not just paler brown than usual),then it sounds more like a partial albino rather than a leucistic bird.
I have seen an almost fully white harrier in Co.Wexford:we couldn't really decide between Hen or Marsh due to the absence of colouration,but others had closer views and considered it most likely a Hen.
Harry H

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Thanks for that Harry. At the risk of taking this discussion in a different direction I thought all white birds could still be leucistic and you needed to see the eye to be sure of a true albino.

The bird isn't from Leighton Moss anyway, as the regular observers there haven't seen a bird matching the description.

Best wishes,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

What must have be this bird has been reported about 20 miles south on Formby Moss, SW Lancs today.

If anyone hears of a leucistic bird at a breeding site this year I would be interested (assuming of course the site is a public one). Also if it is seen by anyone further south this would also be of interest to me.

Regards,

Stephen.

 

[cjay]

I have often come across Leucistic Sparrowhawks & Marsh Harriers with pale rumps.

Colin J.