Possible Montagues Harrier at Sleddale.

[Renton Charman]

Tom Horne and I saw this bird this morning. It was definitely a harrier, longish tail with white at the base, but we weren't sure whether Hen or Montagues. In the sunlight it appeared quite bright orange colour underneath. The photos were very distant so not too clear. Perhaps Tom has clearer shots than mine. Ted offered to possibly identify from the photos.

[TobyAW]

Having never seen Monty's in this country I could be very wrong but going through the features if this photograph was mine I'd say the bottom photo shows it to be a Hen. On the right wing it is clear to see the 5 fingers and wide hand of the wing. Monty's would show 4 clear primary points and a narrower more falcon like wing. Happy to be put right

[Ted Parker]

Thanks for posting these, Renton.  I saw a ringtail harrier for only about 5 seconds today as it disappeared over the eastern ridge immediately after my arrival at Sleddale this morning (30th October) and the brevity of views meant that I couldn't identify it conclusively but my gut feeling was that it was a Hen.

Sorry to spoil things, but, in my opinion, your photos show a juvenile Hen Harrier for the following reasons:

(1)   The wings look broad and long and clearly show 5 good fingered primaries on a rather broad 'hand' giving a rounded wing -tip: Montagu's would only show 4 fingers and the 'hand' would look much narrower.

(2)   The body looks quite solid and the head, although the face and facial markings cannot be seen, the head has the owl-like look of Hen Harrier.

(3)    The underparts are ochre-coloured and seem to fade  in tone towards the lower belly, vent and under-tail; there is also some obvious streaking on the breast sides and flanks: juvenile Montagu's should show much brighter, orange-toned and unmarked (or faintly streaked) underparts.

(4)    The primary tips and trailing edge to the underwings don't look black enough for a juvenile Montagu's.

(5)    There is an obvious pale line along the edge of the greater coverts of the upperwing and the secondaries appear uniformly dark, indicative of juvenile Hen Harrier.

These are my own views, Renton, based solely on your images, and would welcome comments from others who may agree, or otherwise!

Ted

[Renton Charman]

Thanks for the guidance here Ted and Toby. I'm sure this well informed opinion is useful to many others as well. I'll keep watching for the monty!

[t.horne]

Not very good photo.

[Renton Charman]

The original photographs have been improved by reprocessing and two more added here.

[Ted Parker]

Hi Renton,

Your re-worked photographs do help.  The upper one now shows the head pattern is that of a Hen Harrier.  I saw what was presumably this bird today (1st November) at Sleddale, albeit distantly.

Ted

[Renton Charman]

Thanks Ted.