THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
HEN HARRIER – Circus cyaneus
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Except in the mildest regions such as France and Great Britain, Hen Harrier migrates to more southerly areas in winter where they will roost communally often with Merlin. This conspicuous raptor attracts intense illegal persecution from gamekeepers on hunting estates particularly those managed for Red Grouse shooting. Because of this they are now rare in the UK. Mellersh 1902: (Birds of Gloucestershire) referred to Hen Harrier as being formerly resident and still frequent around 1850. Its scientific name is a direct reference to its circling flight 'circus' and the 'bluish' plumage colouration of the male. Some historical names for Hen Harrier include; Blue Hawk, Miller, White Aboon, Gled, Faller, Katabella and Flapper.
There have been seventeen Hen Harriers reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1980: (1)
A female/immature was seen on November 2nd at Northwick Warth.
1982: (2)
A male was reported from Filton Airfield on March 9th; A female/ immature was seen at Northwick Warth on November 6th.
1985: (1)
On January 13th a ‘ringtail’ was watched at New Passage.
1991: (1)
A male was seen on March 29th at New Passage.
1992: (1)
On January 24th a ‘ringtail’ was reported at Northwick Warth.
2001: (1)
A juvenile was seen on October 22nd at Northwick Warth.
2004: (1)
A 'ringtail' was reported from Oldbury Power Station between the coast and Lagoon II on the afternoon of January 4th.
2005: (2)
A winter adult was seen at Lark Lane near Marshfield oh January 31st; A juvenile male was seen to drift over the Bristol/ S. Gloucestershire boundary in the Chittening Warth area on October 20th.
Hen Harrier - Chittening Warth, October 2005: © P. Bowerman.
2006: (1)
A second calendar year male was reported briefly on the morning of August 26th near the picnic area at the top of Tog Hill but could not be relocated after the initial sighting.
2007: (5)
A ringtail was seen for around half an hour from 13:00 at Aust Warth on October 22nd; One, a ringtail was seen at Severn Beach on November 7th; A ringtail was reported at Oldbury Power Station ranging between lagoon II and the orchard in the afternoon on November 16th; A ringtail was seen near the cemetery off Tormarton Road on November 23rd & flushed from Lark Lane at Marshfield at 15:25 on November 25th (ST: 778 744) when it then flew east over Culverslade towards Downthorns Farm; One was reported along the shore at Oldbury Power Station on November 28th and again on December 15th; A ringtail was seen near West Littleton Down on December 16th.
2008:(2)
A ringtail was seen flying low to the north-east over Aust Warth in the morning on April 22nd; A male was seen at Severn Beach flying upriver at 09:05;
Hen Harrier at Severn Beach. May 2008. © Paul Bowerman.