Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus
A slim, long-winged raptor, the Hen Harrier glides low over fields or heath, scanning for small birds and mammals. Males are pale grey with black wingtips, while females and juveniles are brown with a distinct white rump (the “ringtail”). Around Lihou, they are more likely as passage or winter visitors.
- Habitat: Open country—moorland, farmland, coastal marshes, grasslands.
- When to See: Mostly autumn and winter visitors (some pass through in spring).
- Diet / Food: Small birds, voles, mice; hunts low with a circling or gliding flight.
- Length: 45–55 cm