Northern Harrier
Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Legendary bird: +50 points when you log it.
Habitat and behaviour
Habitat: Marsh (very rare).
Diet: Mammals.
Best time to spot: American Hen Harrier.
When to look
A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in UK raptors and owls.
How rare is it?
The Northern Harrier sits in our Legendary tier for the UK: a major rarity, where any record is big news. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.
Where to see it
Reserves where the Northern Harrier is on the list:
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- Montagu's HarrierRare · Cereal fields (very rare breeder)
- Pallid HarrierEpic · Open ground (rare passage)
- Hen HarrierRare · Moorland
- Marsh HarrierUncommon · Reedbeds
- Pallas's BuntingLegendary · Marsh scrub (very rare)
- Baillon's CrakeEpic · Wet marsh
Kit that helps
Best spotting scopes for UK birding. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.
Log a Northern Harrier in your free UK Birdedex