Hen Harrier sighting

[old 30-06]

Went to do some work in the pheasant penns yesterday as it was the only dry day we have had. I got a big surprise when I saw a hen harrier. I watched it hunt along the margins of a large field, only a few feet off the ground. It was a male, and I was variously 100 to 250 yards from it. After a couple of minutes it disappeared from view. Its the first one I have ever seen, and I thought they were rare in the south of England. Has anyone else in Kent seen one ?

 

[Siggy]

I used to go to the Isle Of Sheppey to see hen and marsh harriers, barn and short eared owl, merlin and peregrine. used to be able to see them all in the same field.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Saw one in West Sussex some years ago, about this time of year, while out stalking.

 

[ABL]

Went to do some work in the pheasant penns yesterday as it was the only dry day we have had. I got a big surprise when I saw a hen harrier. I watched it hunt along the margins of a large field, only a few feet off the ground. It was a male, and I was variously 100 to 250 yards from it. After a couple of minutes it disappeared from view. Its the first one I have ever seen, and I thought they were rare in the south of England. Has anyone else in Kent seen one ?

They aren’t so rare in winter time and passing through. We get continental birds over at this time of year

 

[Pelyma]

Regularly seen on the downs in Sussex, particularly the ring tails, quite a few Marsh Harriers too.

 

[Bowland blades]

they are very territorial , young birds get removed by older pairs . The territory these bird want /need is vast and there aint a lot of it .

 

[Demetrius]

Seen at Paglesham Bay nature reserve as well.

D

 

[Overlay]

Went to do some work in the pheasant penns yesterday as it was the only dry day we have had. I got a big surprise when I saw a hen harrier. I watched it hunt along the margins of a large field, only a few feet off the ground. It was a male, and I was variously 100 to 250 yards from it. After a couple of minutes it disappeared from view. Its the first one I have ever seen, and I thought they were rare in the south of England. Has anyone else in Kent seen one ?

You can see them along the swale pretty regular isle of Sheppey and Faversham marshes, out on the woodies 3 years ago over laid corn and a female landed in the tree above me, pretty awesome bird

 

[BLUEROLL]

Saw a male and female this winter on Emsworthy Mire on Dartmoor and more recently a male near Rippon Tor.

 

[old 30-06]

I have now heard of a few reports of them being seen on coastal marshes, but Molash ? Its at least 10 miles from the nearest coast.

 

[Ranger22]

I’ve several pairs on my beat, enjoy watching them

 

[MGD]

I saw a female hen harrier last week, just off the Pevensey Levels.