Any birds of prey experts? Identification needed.

[Wheat]

And I'm asking a lot because I don't have any pictures!

Our family farm has recently gained a new occupant. Normally I'm fairly clued up on common birds of prey, everyday I see sparrowhawks, kestrels and most commonly buzzards. I've seen a pair peregrines before on the farm also.

But our new visitor has got me in several mind of what he could be. He's the size of a buzzard, his wing span is as bit as a buzzard too. Brown in colour and white patterns under the wing. He flys a lot quicker than a buzzard and his wing tips aren't very 'feathered' like a buzzard.

So far I've seen him nail and eat a pigeon. Found the aftermath of a crow he'd had a fight with (head pulled off) and yesterday he was disturbed from his supper of very large cock pheasant that had been well and truly alive a few minutes previous...

Area wise we are right on the coast in the north east of England. Right by the coast.

I initially thought goshawk but the lack of wood land is leaning me towards hen harrier?

Sorry no pictures as I only ever have my phone camera on me.

[Wheat]

Hi, thanks for all the replys. My money is on a hen or marsh harrier. I could be mistaken with the feathered wings, but I distinctly remember thinking it's not a buzzard because it's wings are different. And the fact it's taking adult pheasants confirms this. It's had two pigeons today although I didn't see the bird. I'll report back with a better description if wings and tail as soon as I next see it. Hard to tell the exact patten under its wings also. I'm bloody useless! I'll not be far from my binos next time!

Thanks guys.

[Wheat]

Edited by Wheat on Friday 18th April 16:12

[Wheat]

Hi everyone,

Just a follow up really. Mentioned the sightings to the local bird of prey expert who lives a couple of miles away and he has seen the bird too! It's definitely a Hen Harrier and he even told me where it was living. A marshy pond area, under a mile away from the farm. He said he hasn't seen it for a week or two and so it may be off to the moors, which are about 15miles away as the Harrier flys, to nest etc. But he did say to keep my eyes open as it may well stay and nest in the marshy pond bit. There's also a very large bog area about 5 miles away and he said he's seen harriers nest there in the past, so it could of gone there. Very excited to of seen it.

Thanks for all the replies on this. And congrats to those of you who guessed it right!

Eta, it's a female by the way. Would love to see the male.

Edited by Wheat on Thursday 17th April 19:55

[Wheat]

Very very lucky indeed. I'm going to try and see it again now that I know what it is. I feel very privileged.

[Wheat]

Just to add to this, I saw a marsh harrier yesterday. About 5 miles from where I saw the hen harrier. I watched it for a good minute of two, just swooping around, about 10-15ft off the ground. Above a field of wheat. She couldn't find anything to eat and slowly drifted away, hunting all the time until out of sight.

I'm a lucky chap!