Pure Pallid Perfection

Late last week an RSPB worker searching for nesting hen harriers discovered what he initially thought was a male hen harrier in fully display near Dunsop Bridge, in the Trough of Bowland. The perilous status of this species has turned into a conservation and political hot potato. The area used to be the national stronghold for this iconic bird, but it has all but been eradicated by grouse estates who shamefully see it as a threat to their profits. The discovery ended up being a bittersweet moment for the RPSB employee when he realised he was watching a male Pallid Harrier. Incredibly, this stunning bird appears to have set up territory on the moors which tragically no longer hold the hen harriers that should be there. A perilous place for it to linger, but an opportunity not to be missed! I'd sort of seen a male previously on Orkney in '95, but that was a disappointing experience due to fog, and I've also seen a juvenile in Sussex (2011), but this was an opportunity not to be missed!



Photo by Mike Watson

Photo by A Dancy

I took young conservation hero Findlay Wilde along and it was great to hear his boundless enthusiasm for birds as we drove and walked up to site. Once there, the bird performed magnificently; hunting over the moors, soaring high, sky-dancing overhead and calling, even collecting nest material. An absolute stunner! We stayed for a couple of hours of birding bliss before wandering back down the valley. Aside from the harrier, we saw a single pied flycatcher, grey wagtails and a few red grouse, but nothing else of note - not that it mattered!

Whilst I was gallivanting around the country chasing rare birds yesterday and today, there had been a good tern passage following the switch to easterly winds. In particular there were good numbers of black terns, so it would have been rude not to call in at Neumann's to see the five birds still present (out of 14 earlier in the morning). Pod's new hide really paid off here, the views were breath-taking as the birds dipped elegantly over the water, occasionally gaining height before returning. Just stunning. Sad to think that Pete never got to enjoy his idea come to fruition, he'd have loved this. RIP mate, still can't believe you're gone.

Not a bad day overall!!