THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
THE BIRDS OF SOUTH
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
HARRIER SPP – Circus Spp.
As with all reports of
rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective
rarities committees Harrier is
any of several species of diurnal birds of prey which fly low over meadows and
marshes and hunt or 'harry' small animals or birds, hence their common name. Most
are in the genus Circus and the scientific name also arises from the slow circling
for prey.
There have been five Harriers not positively
identified in S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1970: (1)
On October 10th a 'ringtail' was noted at New Passage.
1988: (1)
On September 23rd a single bird was seen near Pucklechurch.
1993: (1)
On October 10th an individual was seen at Coalpit Heath.
2007: (1)
One (probably Montagu's) was seen on May 1st from a moving car east of the A46 around 400 metres south of Dyrham Park at around 17:00 being mobbed by corvids.
'... I'm afraid it was one of those frustrating birding moments. I was driving on my own in rush hour traffic northwards along the A46. Something being mobbed by corvids caught my eye on the right hand side, so as much as I was able (the traffic was pretty constant and I had to make sure I didn't crash into the car in front) I glanced over several times. I was immediately aware that the bird was a Harrier spp. and not a Marsh Harrier. It seemed pretty slim and had that characteristic pose in flight with the wings upswept with head down. I tried to see if I could catch whether is was a male, but couldn't discern any contrast or grey/black colouration. I am assuming that it was therefore a female/immature, with the likelihood of it being a female...'
Jenny Vickers - May 2007.
2008: (1)
An unidentified Harrier flew west over the M4 at junction 20 near Patchway at 13:35;