Identified at last

A couple of days ago, when I was returning from Woodhall Spa, the large bird, that often perches in the first oak tree on the bank beside the beck, flew over my car.  I was able to park and view it hovering above the farm field just behind the rows of trees that sit behind the road-side hedge.  A crow, careful to keep above the trespasser, was screaming at the intruder!  All of this action, much of it in slow motion and lit by bright sunshine, enabled me to observe the colouring of the Harrier in detail.  It was partly silver underneath, and its main plumage was flecked browns, matching the previous brief sighting I had had when the mystery creature's yellow eyes had glared at me from the side of the beck bank.

Comments

[Peter Gatford]

I am pleased you have identified the Harrier Barbara. Because I was pretty sure that's what we had a very brief sighting of when in the wild garden a little time ago. Sue and I had seen a pair earlier while in Norfolk and the shape and colour was similar.