Hunting harrier
Considering how rare they became it felt quite lucky and thrilling to accidentally bump into this beautiful male Hen harrier, hunting over the Zeeland polders. Although usually migrating to southern Europe and north Africa, a number of birds spend the winter in the Netherlands. Estimations of wintering birds range from 400 to 800 species (for 2013-2015). Only a dozen pairs breed in the Netherlands. In any case, the situation is still better there than in the UK where they are hunted to the brink of extinction.
The first part of its scientific name "circus" refers to the particular manner of hunting, often flying in circles as could be seen from this guy.
Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus).
© 2022 Marc Haegeman. All Rights Reserved
Hunting harrier
Considering how rare they became it felt quite lucky and thrilling to accidentally bump into this beautiful male Hen harrier, hunting over the Zeeland polders. Although usually migrating to southern Europe and north Africa, a number of birds spend the winter in the Netherlands. Estimations of wintering birds range from 400 to 800 species (for 2013-2015). Only a dozen pairs breed in the Netherlands. In any case, the situation is still better there than in the UK where they are hunted to the brink of extinction.
The first part of its scientific name "circus" refers to the particular manner of hunting, often flying in circles as could be seen from this guy.
Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus).
© 2022 Marc Haegeman. All Rights Reserved