Montagu’s harrier: Birds of Britain

Posted in Animals, Birds, Nature, Wildlife on Monday, 28 February 2011

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Birds of Prey. Main pic: Golden Eagle. Anti-clockwise from top right: Hen Harrier, Merlin, Montagu's Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Rough-legged Buzzard. Illustration by Kenneth Lilly

Birds of Prey. Main pic: Golden Eagle. Anti-clockwise from top right: Hen Harrier, Merlin, Montagu’s Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Rough-legged Buzzard. Illustration by Kenneth Lilly

Male montagu’s harriers can sometimes be seen gliding low over marshes and rough heathland in southern England, but the sight is rare, for less than ten pairs breed here regularly. These are the smallest of British harriers. In April the birds arrive from their winter quarters in Africa, to begin their climbing and diving display flight of courtship.

This edited article originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 909 published on 23 June 1979. Click on a picture to find out more about licensing images for commercial or personal/educational use. We are also able to license textual material. Please contact us for details.

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