MONTAGU'S HARRIER
(circus pygargus)
Montagu's Harrier is the UK's rarest breeding Raptor. It
narrowly missed total extinction early this century, at
which time the population was confined mainly to the
Norfolk Broads, but as a result of co-operation between
farmers and conservation organisations the Montagu's have
now established new territory in south west Britain.
A purely migrant visitor, present only between April and
September, there have been years when no breeding pairs
have appeared. However, in 1990, 12 pairs reared a total of
22 young.
Its diet is extremely varied. Normal hunting flight is a
series of slow glides punctuated with strong, rapid
wingbeats. Unlike other harriers, Montagu's can fly fast
enough to chase fast-moving ground prey, including reptiles
and amphibians, and even small birds in flight.
FACT
FILE:
LENGTH:
43 - 47cms (17- 19ins)WINGSPAN:
105- 120cms (41 - 47ins)WEIGHT:
0.23 - 0.44kg (8oz - 1Ib)HABITAT:
Lowland regions marshes, sand dunes, young forestry
plantations and heaths. More recently, nesting in arable
crops. Nests are always built on the ground, usually in
tall vegetation including growing crops.