Wolverton Hen Harrier makes stunning viewing

Hen Harrier proved to be a stuggle for the bridge camera

                                              A visit in better light

                                            Gloomy late afternoon 

Red indicates walk from village (very muddy, park by village hall)

Yellow is field most often seen

Blue is field seems to be second favoured field

Pick indicates wider circuit observed

Local birding continues to throw up some nice opportunities. It's been a decent winter to date with the White-fronts, Hawfinches & Crossbills all within a very short drive and more importantly lots of open space.

I've made two visits up to Wolverton where a ring-tail Hen Harrier has been discovered in some fantastic habitat. The ring-tail has been giving some fantastic viewing opportunities from across the meadow in which it has been hunting. The bird on occasions does undertake a much larger circuit but always returns to the same area. With the bird staying loyal to the area there appears to be a stream of admirers visiting the area and from my evidence all were behaving very well and giving the bird plenty of room.

The local birds certainly had a shock when the harrier has appeared above them, I witnessed Snipe, Meadow Pipit & a Stonechat all make hasty departures. Other birds observed include Raven, Buzzard, Redwing, Fieldfare & a male Peregrine whilst other birders have recorded Barn Owl, Redpoll, Kingfisher & Tree Sparrow.