[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”68″ gal_title=”Hen Harriers-2″]

Whilst travelling to the hide at Close Sartfield, we decided to take an alternative route over Brandywell and down through Druidale.

Whilst driving down the narrow road, I noticed a flash of brown and white pass by just below me in the narrow valley. Stopping the car and scanning the valley found an impressive female hen harrier slowly quartering the ground, no-doubt on the look out for food.

Pulling off the single track road and stopping on the verge allowed for a safer look around the valley.

After a couple of minutes, we saw not one but three hen harriers in total.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”69″ gal_title=”Hen Harriers – 3″]

Not only is it obvious just how well these birds are camouflaged in their habitat, but how agile they are so close to the ground.

This is the first time I have seen one of these birds on the ground.

Well now I know where they are, I think I will have to return and take another look.

As for Close Sartfield, we saw nothing there today. You win some, you lose some.

Until the next time.