A Pallid Harrier was found at Therfield Heath on the 19th September and was still in the area at the time of writing, a period of 20 days. I was on holiday when it was found and therefore didn't get up there until the 9th October. The bird had now moved to the north end of Icknield Way just south of Royston, and was reported as being very wide-ranging and only showing occasionally at a distance. I was therefore prepared for a long wait.
In the event I positioned myself at the gate as per the instructions and had to wait a whole 20 minutes before it suddenly appeared from over the tree-line just 15 yards above my head. It hunted in front of the assembled five people for a few minutes before disappearing over the brow of the hill. Over the next two hours this was repeated every 20 minutes, frequently flying back and forth just 20 yards away. As an example of just how close it came at times, this shot is uncropped.
Here is a selection of shots that I took.
The bird is a juvenile female. Juvenile because of the unbarred orangey breast and a female because it has a brown eye. Males of all ages have pale eyes.
What an incredible bird!!
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