The Magnificent Seven

Some High Plains Drifting turned into the Magnificent Seven at High Noon today when I sat in astonishment watching five Hen Harriers around a peak in North Wales.

Thanks and credit must go to Bill Owen who found two males and three females displaying whilst out walking last week and was subsequently kind enough to pass on the information to me.

It capped quite an astonishing walk, as earlier on the morning I had been watching another ‘courting couple’ at what seemed like a nest site in another part of the moor, taking my total Hen Harrier count for the day to an incredible seven birds – I never thought I would see the day in North Wales!

At the first nest site I was also witness to another first. I could actually hear the female bird calling from the ground – all other Hen Harriers I have seen have been mute!

In the five years I have been watching the hills in spring, I would speculate that Hen Harriers are on the up in Wales. Spend long enough in suitable habitat and I would think you are virtually guaranteed to find one.

I was also taken aback at the numbers of Raven. I counted at least ten pairs over six hours with numerous single birds floating around too. Only Wheatears outnumbered them – they seemed to be on every stone wall I looked at.

The only disappointing note was the lack of breeding wading birds considering the amount of suitable habitat. I walked miles and only came across two pairs of Curlew, with no sign of any Golden Plover or Dunlin, although a Common Sandpiper feeding along the edge of an area of water was an unexpected bonus.

Sorry to be so unspecific about the area, but sadly you still can’t be too careful…

Undisclosed Area 22.4.10

Hen Harrier 7
Buzzard 5
Red Kite 1
Kestrel 1
GC Grebe 1
Raven 26
Wheatear 37
Common Sandpiper 1
Curlew 4
Red-legged Partridge 2

Until later.