Separating male and female 'Ringtail' Hen Harriers (1 Viewer)

[Troubador]

Take a look at this terrific paper on how to separate ringtail Hen Harriers, it is fascinating and supported by many great photographs.

The author is Gerold Dobler who led the design teams for SF binoculars and Harpia scope at Zeiss.

https://www.zeiss.com/consumer-products/int/home/local/nature-observation/hen-harrier.html


Lee

 

[Nutcracker]

Saw this a while ago and thought it isn't really much use - how often does one see a Hen Harrier from closer than 2 km? Any Hen Harrier that lets humans get closer than that, is dead :-C :storm:

 

[Troubador]

On North Uist, Western Isles, we have frequently seen Hen Harriers at 200 metres and occasionally a ringtail has flown within 50 metres of our hired cottage. I believe much of Dobler's observing was done at winter roosts at close distances.

Lee

 

[Nutcracker]

On North Uist, Western Isles, we have frequently seen Hen Harriers at 200 metres and occasionally a ringtail has flown within 50 metres of our hired cottage. I believe much of Dobler's observing was done at winter roosts at close distances.

Lee

No gamekeepers there, of course!


Around here, they are - of absolute necessity - exceedingly wary.

 

[Troubador]

No gamekeepers there, of course!


Around here, they are - of absolute necessity - exceedingly wary.

Yes I take your point and in the webinar on Friday about Harrier identification I will be asking whether there are clues as to sex from the way the Harriers fly as this would help from a distance.

Closer views of Hen Harriers may be possible in England when the birds are on passage. I remember close views at Benacre in Suffolk late in the year. But you are right about the sorry state of Hen Harriers in England.

Lee

 

[SlowLowFlyingTurkey]

The birds roosting at Wicken Fen often give exceptionally close views, usually entering the boardwalk area near the visitor centre (for those familiar with the reserve) and flying around for prolonged periods before settling. Having said that, I've never separated male from female ringtails here.

This paper was given away recently as a free supplement with one of the monthly magazines (must be either BB or Birdwatch). I haven't read it yet but I'll get onto it before this winter's roost builds up.