Monday morning and another day with the Hen Harriers at Geltsdale. The young bird ' Gordon ' now flying like a pro. and even landing elegantly. He performed a determined foraging exploit, turning to drop to the ground in classic Hen Harrier style several times before catching what looked like a small rhodent - success !
The moorland at Geltsdale with 'Gordon' just visible over the heather.
The dark juvenile plumage makes him tricky to pick up against the heather background. The female shows more light brown on the upper wing coverts making her more visible - the male, never a very committed parent, seems to have lost interest completely !
On the same Hen Harrier theme, great news that the e-petition to ban driven Grouse shooting will be debated in Parliament. The battle for the truth continues - Tory MPs still pedalling nonsense about woodland, hedgerow and beetle bank preservation - on Grouse moors ? Really ?
A tour round some sites in the Humber Estuary area later in the week with some wader experiences unparalled here in North Cumbria - feeding flocks of Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits everywhere and large groups of Avocets.
The Western Swamphen emerged from the reeds occasionally at Alkborough Flats - rather distant but a great bird to see in Britain.
This species, now on its third name within my memory ( formerly know as Purple Gallinule ) and just last year arose from the superspecies Purple Swamphen as one of six new species. Time to modify my Westen Palearctic and World lists.
Good to see you're blogging Chris!
ReplyDelete