Hello everyone. In contrast to the week before, last week was a lot milder and a lot more windy. The snow has gone and there is a genuine spring-in-the-air ambience around here.To sum up the hen harrier situation: roost site numbers are down, while sightings on and around the reserve are up.
This makes some sense, as birds disperse from their winter roosting and foraging sites in search of breeding territory. Their favoured winter roost site of this region yielded only one bird on Friday and none on Sunday, other roost sites drawing a blank also.
In contrast, a good day's hen harrier watching was to be had across the reserve on Wednesday 11 March, with four separate ring-tail sightings on a day of excellent visibility.
(Ringtail is the term used for juvenile, immature and adult females, together with first calendar year juvenile males, which all look similar. They're so-called because of their prominently barred tails)
However on the basis of size, plumage characteristics and timings we conclude that just two birds were present, in that one bird was seen three times that day. The early signs are thus not bad at all. Fingers crossed everyone.
We have other encouraging raptor news. At least one, possibly two pairs of merlins are back up to their breeding grounds, while a pair of peregrines have been engaged in courtship flights throughout last week and are staunchly defending their territory.
On the passerine front, we still await significant influxes of meadow pipits, while the ring ouzels and wheatears have also yet to appear. Curlews, lapwings, golden plovers, redshanks and snipe are all back on breeding grounds. Black grouse numbers are buoyant and daily sightings are reported. Finally an update on the drake smew we've had for much of the winter: it's still there and still "displaying" on Tindale Tarn.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a hen harrier, then please call the RSPB Harrier hotline on 0845-4600121, giving a date and location (grid reference if possible) for your sighting. You may also e-mail the information to henharriers@rspb.org.uk. This will help us to protect this wonderful bird.