The latest sighting details and map for Pallid Harrier are only available to our BirdGuides Ultimate or our BirdGuides Pro subscribers. Pallid harrier Circus macrourus 1,060 miles . A life tick for both George and Dan, and an exceptional find for all three of us, this would indeed be a moment to remember in all our birding careers. Black-tailed Godwit 127 hopefully i can attach pics to this if not they are in gallery. CLARK W.S., CLARKE R. 1998. on tuesday the 26th of april i was very fortunate to spot the first ever sighting in northern ireland of a pallid harrier (female) this has been confirmed on ni birding, irish birding, and ni birds, i was with a friend and had actually been tipped of about the whereabouts of a male hen harrier and were actually looking for them and took pics of what we assumed was a female hen harrier but when we posted pics to these other sights we were quickly informed that these pics were of a female pallid and the first ever sighting in northern ireland and the second ever in ireland,so was actually delighted with this but also a bit dissapointed at not seeing male hen harrier. Through my binoculars I could see the long wings and tail, narrow white rump and, best of all, the deep orange shade of its underparts, glowing in the October sunshine. Aves 50(1): 23-38. Although no confirmed breeding attempts have yet been made, there have been signs that this might not be too far off for example, a territorial male spent a couple of weeks displaying over a Lancashire moor in spring 2017. From March to May and from August to November. All rights reserved. Annual complete moult between May-June and September-October. HD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og8olT6LQ4g). This Europe-wide change in Pallid Harrier's status has been reflected in Britain, where a rapid upturn in records has been noticeable over the past 5-10 years. ____________________________________________________________________, Yep it's been seen for three days now I managed to get Simon (the original guy to see it) to send a photo to SBSG, there are now a couple more photos from yesterday www.sbsg.org//recent-news, Here's Simon's photos and you can see by his comments he didn't know what he was letting himself in for, his email went into meltdown www.flickr.com//28944108274 and the guys photos on the SBSG website are here www.flickr.com//andyds6, You can understand it going viral. Coordinators: Alex Oll, Teresa Montras & Joan Goy. Like most harrier species, there are distinct color differences between males and females. Males are ghostly gray above with black wingtip wedges. All Rights Reserved. Wing: 310-355 mm, 345-390 mm. Male birds are typically 315g in weight (11.1 oz) while the females are slightly larger, as is common among the accipitridae family, and weigh in at 445g or (15.7 oz). Many of us are constantly on the look out for rarities when we're out and about birding. In flight, a bit bulkier than Montagu's but much more buoyant than Hen Harrier. Pallid Harrier by Martin McGill WWT 3rd April 2012. My last UK sighting was at RSPB Salthouse a couple of years ago. 6. The first case of the speciesbreeding in western Europe was noted as recently as 2017, when a pair raised four chicks in The Netherlands. In addition to this newsa mixed pair of harriers, consisting of a male Pallid and female Montagu's, has also succeeded in reproducing for the first time in France. 11. Submit your sighting. Even though, there are some individuals, especially females, with wide dark stripes identical to PH. SC037654, Accepting all non-essential cookies helps us to personalise your experience, These cookies are required for basic web functions, Allow us to collect anonymised performance data. Shelduck 37, Natural flood management in West Somerset, How to make a mini wildlife pond from an upcycled container. It is now considered a rare migrant, with around 100 individuals seen in an average year, although there is strong inter-annual variation and the species is susceptible to large spring influxes. The bird also has too much white around the eye socket isolating the ear-covert patch. In Cardiff. A resource for Birders, Twitchers and casual Bird Watchers. not sure don't know too much about them but going by the irish birding sites they reckon it is not the same one. PH: in new plumage, the general body colouring has an orange tone, brighter than MH, and with no streaks on the chest, flanks or under coverts. Include your email address in case we need to clarify details. They often flee to India, Iran and Africa in the winter to avoid the cold and will travel back to the north in the spring to begin nesting and mating by the summer time. on tuesday the 26th of april i was very fortunate to spot the first ever sighting in northern ireland of a pallid harrier (female) this has been confirmed on ni birding, irish birding, and ni birds, i was with a friend and had actually been tipped of about the whereabouts of a male hen harrier and were actually looking for them and took pics of 207076, Scotland no. PH: the dark stripes at the primaries tend to be wider than in MH, even though its a varying fact, and it could even be the exactly the same in some individuals. All Rights Reserved. 2023 BirdGuides, Warners Group Publications Plc. 1. The underside of the female is a lighter brown of buff color with streaks through it. Females are more difficult to separate from other harriers; pay attention to the underwings with their barred primaries and dark secondaries. Pallid harriers are slightly smaller than buzzard and are white below with black wingtips. No wonder that, when the RAF needed a name for their most aerobatic aircraft, they called it the Harrier jump jet. English Name: Pallid Harrier. Click Submit to share your rare bird sightings via our simple form. Males weigh 315 g (11.1 oz) while the slightly larger females weigh 445 g (15.7 oz). All rights reserved. Pallid Harriers are a very rare passage migrant to the UK they winter in Africa and breed in areas like Kazakhstan. PH: dark stripes at the base of more outer primaries tend to be faded, displayed as a whole as a clearer patch, which is called boomerang, which is always more or less exhibited. In spring, the main flyway runs through the central part of the Mediterranean while in autumn, the route runs through the East of the Mediterranean region. Willow Warbler 1 Status in Kuwait: Common passage migrant and scarce winter visitor. The bird was very pale grey almost white especially under parts with no real contrast on the face. 2013. They have a grace, elegance, and aerial manoeuvrability rare even in the world of raptors. Females incubate 3 to 6 eggs per clutch, however not all eggs survive this process and its common for at least a few eggs to not hatch or to successfully fledge. But the fourth British species, the pallid harrier, is so rare that only a score or so have ever turned up here, wanderers from their breeding grounds on the remote Russian steppes. Females are mostly brown on the upper side and lighter brown on the underside of their bodies, with white coverts in their tail feathers and wingfeathers. I knew this was a race against the clock: would I manage to see the bird before the children got bored? It also, winters in Kuwait in small numbers. Sure enough when I looked in the book it was clearly a male Pallid Harrier that we had just been watching. Take Merlin with you in the field! arriers are very special birds. Yes, these birds migrate and travel considerable distances to escape the chill of the winter in their eastern european breeding grounds. In the past it has been difficult to distinguish between pallid harriers and another bird, Montagus harrier. Differences in tarsal length between adult female Montagus and Pallid Harriers: an easy method to separate specimens. Great-crested Grebe 2, Willow Warbler 2 Weight: 235-415 g., 400-550 g. Longevity: < 15 years old. Close ); after big decline during 1970-1990, when up to 30% of individuals lost (especially from main population, in European Russia), numbers continued to fall in following decade up to 2000, and general trends of loss exceeded 30% . Arabic Name: . Show Details. Juveniles are rufous and similar to Montagu's, but appear dark rather than pale faced. Males typically are white or grey on the upper side and white on the underside of the bodies, with thin black wingtip feathers at the extremity of both their wings.Females are brown on the upper side and have white plumage in their tails beneath the main tail feathers, which is what gives the females the nickname ringtails. The best of the sightings were single Black-tailed Godwits (a wading bird) on the 1st and 22nd, an immature Marsh Harrier on the 8th and a pair of Common Scoter (a sea duck) on the 22nd with the female still present the following day. Birder Bill Aspin, who spotted the harrier being chased by four crows, said he was shaking with excitement. The incubation period is usually around 28 to 30 days and the eggs are incubated exclusively by the female unlike other birds of prey who share the responsibility for incubating and hunting. However, there are individuals who again resemble to PH, especially females, which cause confusion. Oystercatcher 4 From March to May and from August to November. Have you seen something interesting? Scientific Name: Circus macrourus. PH: as a rule, the classic specimens only show some dark at the end of fingers, not spreading anywhere else, being the contrast quite evident, abrupt; although it could also vary according to the individual, and its not strange to find birds with this dark more spread. It also resembles other harriers in having distinct male and female plumages. Migratory. I then put out news that we had just seen a Hen Harrier. But the fourth British species, the pallid harrier, is so rare that only a score or so have ever turned up here, wanderers from their breeding grounds on the remote Russian steppes. Due to the colonisation of pallid harrier towards North West Europe, hybridisation with other harrier species takes place occasionally, often with hen harrier, exceptionally with Montagus harrier. Previously considered a national rarity and thus requiring a submission to the French rarities committee, the rarity tag was removed in 2013 following an upturn in records. They rarely show a similar extension to PH, this causing a severe confusion afterwards. 1997. Junction of Priory Ave/Grange Park, Bristol, England. You are using an out of date browser. Juvenile birds start their first moult in spring of 2cy, followed by a parcial moult (affecting some body and facial feathers and less extensive thanMontagus harrier)on the wintering grounds. It is believed that the lifespan of the pallid harrier is somewhere around 13 to 14 years, and its possible that they could live longer in captivity depending on their care and diet as well as the suitability of the habitat and climate. Presumed Pallid Harrier. It also, winters in Kuwait in small numbers. This displaying malePallid Harrierwas well watched atDunsop Bridge, Lancashire, in April-May 2017(Michael Roberts). Update. The breeding area extends from South Russia to North East China. Found in steppes, wet grassland, agricultural areas and other open spaces. There are no natural predators for pallid harriers, and as a bird of prey they are powerful enough and large enough to defend their nests and themselves from most creatures in their range, however opportunists may occasionally stumble across unguarded eggs in rare circumstances and find an easy meal.However this is very rare as females are diligent mothers who incubate exclusively and only leave the eggs in extreme scenarios. Although mixed pairs of these species have been regularly observed in France, they had never apparently produced fledged youngsters before now. MH: They always display a back dark stripe on the wing. Females are more difficult to separate from other harriers; pay attention to the underwings with their barred primaries and dark secondaries. Yet during my lifetime the pallid harrier has gone from being one of our rarest birds to a reasonably regular visitor, extending its breeding range westwards to Germany and Scandinavia. PH: the dark boa around the neck is densely dark, but it usually loses such uniformity with erosion, and theres even those which show it striated with a new plumage. E: 100-120 cm. A nest was built in a wheat field in a largely agricultural landscape, in what is the closest French department to England. Although by the time Martin got his camera the bird was now distant, But the photographs show the distinctive under wing pattern. Can it look after itself? Bulletin British Ornithologists Club 118:52-54. 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited. It also had a small white rump with a faint barred tail. PH: the clear collar is wide and neat, clearly outlining the dark cheeks. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus , Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus , Male Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus , Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus, young male , Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus, 1st autumn male. The harrier was last seen at 08.30. flying North over the hill to the North of the . This particularly showy individual has been watched travelling the length of the reserve, coming past all of the hides, at times right in front of them. Water Rail 2 Since the discovery of regular breeding of Pallid Harriers in Finland in 2011, the number of sightings has markedly increased right across Europe. Their breeding grounds are most typically in eastern europe and central asia/Iran, and winters in India and southeast Asia as well as some parts of Africa occasionally. on tuesday the 26th of april i was very fortunate to spot the first ever sighting in northern ireland of a pallid harrier (female) this has been confirmed on ni birding, irish birding, and ni birds, I understand this is an old thread, but want to reply anyway, Marsh Harrier? They're declining in their breeding range (now classed as Near Threatened) so chances of them spreading and colonising W Europe are pretty low. I was beginning to think we were missing out here in Somerset, when one was found just 10 miles north of my home, on the Mendip Hills. In flight, a bit bulkier than Montagus but much more buoyant than Hen Harrier. The wing span of adults is roughly similar, coming in at around 40 to 48cm or 16 to 19 inches. Since the discovery of regular breeding Pallid Harriers in Finland in 2011, the number of sightings of the species migrating through Spain has markedly increased. Males are quite similar to the hen harrier but are a little smaller in size, with narrower wings and a paler coloration, as well as slightly different patterns in the wing feathers, however this can be hard to distinguish at distance or while the bird is in flight. Wintering has become a feature, too, with around five birds each year (this showing a slowly increasing trend). Mostly brown or sometimes green, but this depends a lot on the health of the bird and what its diet consists of and can vary a little due to this. Lucky you Pete! The feathers of the pallid harrier differ between the sexes as mentioned before. They breed in Eastern Europe & I think go to Africa for the winter, so some of the youngsters take the long route via the UK & Western France. species 213. PH: the secondary darks have a distinctive design in most birds, with one or two complete clearer stripes, even grey, being the outer one a bit wider. FORSMAN, D. & ERTERIUS, D. 2012. Count 1. On the way back on the same road we noticed two other males together following the road travelling at about 25 kilometres an hour. 9. But Martin was constantly shouting out while he was watching the bird that it lacked a dark trailing edge to the wing, and that it had only a small amount of black on the wing tip. The sightings of pallid harrier didn't finish at NADEC. Click Submit to share your rare bird sightings via our simple form. monitor global seal populations or record large mammal sightings in Gabon. Although most records involve juveniles in autumn, an increasing number of spring sightings are made and, in some years, at least one individual willoverwinter. Blackcap 2, Avocet 1 MH: the white spot is mostly big, with a rounded shape scarcely defined, and above all, spreading behind the eye and joining behind it with the eyebrow. The nesting habits of this bird are interesting as the nest is often made up of a pile of grass which will be hidden within or under various plants and vegetation, and are often located near or in meadows, scrubland or swampy areas where vegetation is most plentiful. Alan Wright from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust said: Pallid harriers have been difficult to distinguish from the Montagus harrier in the past and it could be that digital photography is now helping people to distinguish them more easily. 19/4/21 1:21:09 PM . Is it too much to hope that soon we may even see pallid harrier nesting here in Britain? The status of Pallid Harrierhas rapidly changed in France in recent years. In this guide were going to highlight some of the key information you need to know about these birds, and well be touching on everything from their appearance to their hunting behavior, mating, nesting, as well as their diet, habitat, migration routes, lifespan, natural predators and their conservation status to make sure you have everything you need to know and can spot them as soon as you have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of these amazing birds.Lets get started with their appearance so you know exactly what to look for when youre out spotting. Redshank 7 With a juvenile Pallid Harrier being spotted yesterday where I was the day before (just my luck) it got me thinking do they breed in this country? Recentmently, the population of Western Russia has expanded towards Scandinavia, with a small contingent now found in Finland, leading to a new migratory route through Western Europe with wintering grounds in the Iberian peninsula and Morocco. But it is thought that better camera equipment could be helping birders to distinguish them and realise that pallid harriers are more frequent visitors to Britain than previously thought. Illustration: George Boorujy. They're declining in their breeding range (now classed as Near Threatened) so chances of them spreading and colonising W Europe are pretty low. Still a wonderful sight. The pair nested in Marne departement, to the east of Paris, and fledged four young. Eggs are usually white in color with some small brown markings occasionally. . The conservation status of these birds is near threatened, which means that the bird may be considered to be at risk of extinction in the near future, although the species isnt yet at a stage where it is considered officially threatened in the most immediate sense. More rarely they show two clear stripes alike. After several minutes the harrier made it to the far end of our reserve and dipped over the sea wall. Provisional species count in official eBird totals. Theres a Robin in our garden that only flies around very low and doesnt really fly off, in fact appears to prefer hopping around secretively amongst larger plants, which makes a sort of wheezing, panting A fantail pigeon is sitting on my fence. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. This majestic bird has a wide range over a large part of Europe and Asia and has many distinctive features from their coloring to their behavior and migration patterns. Out news that we had just seen a Hen harrier distinct male female! 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