[Bird]: Western Marsh Harrier

Western (Eurasian) Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

(Bird: Acciptridae)

Adult female. 12th July, 2013. RSPB Lodmoor Reserve (Dorset-UK).

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Notes:

True to its name you are most likely to see this bird at a wetland or marsh site unless you happen to catch one on migration.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB-Other)
• America (North-Central-South) 
• Asia 
• Africa 
• Oceania (Australia-Other)
• Antarctica

The first time I recorded this species:

6th July, 2009 at the Cotentin Regional Park in (Normandy-France).

[Bird]: Red Kite

Red Kite (Milvus milvus)

(Bird: Acciptridae)

1st July, 2013. Gigrin Farm (Wales-UK).

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Leucistic bird. 1st July, 2013. Gigrin Farm (Wales-UK).

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Notes:

Kites are odd birds that are unlike hawks or falcons. The triangular tail and wing shape is quite specific to these birds. They are generally scavengers and glide and drift around, presumably the reasoning behind the name kite. This species, despite its inability to hunt and kill live prey, has been poisoned and shot by gamekeepers throughout history in fear for their livestock. Some early declines of this bird were inadvertently due to toxic insecticides.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

1st December, 2007 at a roost site (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Osprey

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

(Bird: Acciptridae)

Adult ssp. carolinensis. 21st January, 2015. Honeymoon Island (Florida-USA)

Adult ssp. carolinensis. 21st January, 2015. Honeymoon Island (Florida-USA)

Adult ssp. haliaetus. 26th June, 2013. RSPB osprey-watching point in Snowdonia (Wales).

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Notes:

The "fish hawk", a unique bird of prey found all over the world. The species shows regional differences in size, colouration and markings, but only recently was one of these subspecies (the Australian cristatus) given full species status. The three remaining subspecies are still classified under this original osprey species.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA)

The first time I recorded this species:

ssp. haliaetus: 26th June, 2013 at an RSPB point in Snowdonia. (Wales-UK).
ssp. carolinensis: 12th April, 2014 at Zuma Beach. (California-USA).

[Bird]: Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipter nisius)

(Bird: Acciptridae)

Adult female. 11th July, 2013. Bolderwood, New Forest (Hampshire-UK)

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Notes:

A silent bird that is most often seen when it soars on thermals high up. Otherwise it is generally seen silently gliding between trees, and is rarely in view for longer than a few seconds. It is a common bird, but generally not often noticed.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

11th July, 2013 at Bolderwood, New Forest (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

(Bird: Acciptridae)

A darker and paler individual at the same site. 1st July, 2013. Gigrin Farm. (Wales-UK)

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Leucistic. 1st December, 2007. Red kite location (Hampshire-UK).

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Notes:

The default large hawk in England. Very variable, occurring in a wide variety of light, dark and intermediate appearances that are individual based.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB-France)

The first time I recorded this species:

1st of December, 2007 at a Red Kite roosting location (Hampshire-UK). However, I certainly saw this species before this date.