Northern Harrier is the North American version of the Eurasian Hen Harrier and very rare in the UK. In fact there are only 4 accepted sightings so far, the last being in Norfolk last year.

Over the weekend, a possible Hen/Pallid Harrier was sighted over Ouse Washes RSPB and a well known local birder located it on Monday and took some photos which indicated that it was a possible Northern Harrier. Needless to say, that caused some discussion on the local Cambirds forum with experts being consulted seemingly to confirm that ID.

With poor weather earlier in the week, and yesterday being forecast good, I left mid-morning to see if I could find it. There was little point in going earlier as the hide from which it had been seen faced North-East and any earlier the sun was in the wrong direction.

Surprisingly, when I got to the hide, there was no-one else there so I positioned myself and waited. I do not visit this reserve too often as the birds are far to distant for photography but there may be the odd fly through of a raptor and sure enough, a male Marsh Harrier came reasonably close.

The hide started to fill up and one of the birders was in contact by phone with other birders on the far side of the wash and they had the Northern Harrier in view but a distance from the hide. Finally it showed to us in the distance and, after a while, started to fly in our direction and gave me what is probably my best shot of the afternoon although heavily cropped.

Shortly afterwards, it settled on a post about 200 metres away and sat there for over half-an-hour preening. Some more shote but once again, heavily cropped but at least giving different aspects of the bird to aid the ID.

After that, it flew towards the far side of the wash and, with the light about to fade, I left.

The general view, at present is that it is a juvenile female Northern Harrier. We must wait to see if this is accepted by the records committee.

More images in the Recent Additions section.