22-Mar-14
The distant Ring-tail Harrier found at Steart Marshes by Dick Best on Monday evening (20th) and which appeared to go to roost, was seen again distantly this morning in better light by Dick and Roger Musgrove, and from its bright orangey underparts they thought it might possibly be a juvenile Northern Harrier (from North America). Just after I arrived, at around 14:45 the bird came reasonably close, such that all those present (Dick, Roger, Tim McGrath and me) could make out that it had a pale orange neck-ring or boa which confirmed it was a juvenile Pallid Harrier. Later, It was briefly reported again at around 17:30 hrs.

Visitors arriving to view the bird are encouraged to use the new main car park on Stert Drove - this can be found by following the brown signs from the Cannington to Hinkley Road. The bird is wide ranging across all of the Steart Marshes area and was viewed but unconfirmed by WWT Staff close to the Mendip Hide at around 08:00 on Wednesday. Later it was seen from same place and from the new footpath that runs from the main car park north towards Wall Common and Steart Gate.

Currently the Polden Hide remains closed following Tuesday's storm damage but the area of the reserve where the bird has been recorded is still viewable from near this observation point. Also please note that contractors are on site erecting the wooden screening adjacent to both hides so some local disruption is likely during the day though will be kept to an essential minimum.

Sightings updates will be posted on https://twitter.com/WWTSteart in the morning and throughout the day if there is more news.

Couple of distant record shots taken yesterday (22nd) by Dick Best.

Cracking shots Dick and thanks to Jeff for posting them on here. Rob Chase published some convincing images yesterday but these surely nail down the ID. No sign so far today apparently but let's hope it shows up again before dark.

NPW

Just had a call from Dick Best, who has seen the Pallid Harrier only a short while ago out on the Fenning (the 'old' Steart reserve, if you like), heading back towards Steart Marshes.

Seen again at 12:40 and on and off up to 14:05 when a band of heavy rain moved through on the other side of the river from Steart Marshes at Pawlett Hams. Reported again from the same area at16:00 and more recently seen over the Brue Estuary so it may be favouring the Huntspill side of the Parrett and may explain why it wasn't seen at Steart yesterday.

Flew south past 2nd carpark on sea side at 5pm and then circled back across marsh to the north

was it seen today

Pallid Harrier seen briefly around 17.00 25th Oct for 10 minutes heading towards the Salt marsh

Juvenile Pallid Harrier showing down 100 m in front of Mendip hide this morning at about 11.30

Following on from Julian Thomas' Tweet ref, location of Pallid Harrier, I had fantastic views all afternoon from viewing point close to Steart Gate car park.

Cheers Julian,

Seen today. Pics on the site.

Pallid Harrier visible from the Huntspill side of the estuary this morning. Its progress was easily traced by the flocks of waders, ducks and gulls that were flushed. Also a Peregrine had a brief interaction with the Harrier over the Steart island.

Birdguides/RBA reports this week show reports of red-throated, water and pos buff-bellied pipit in Steart/huntspill areas. Certainly seems to be an odd-looking pipit around.

The harrier spent a lot of time today intermittently hunting the central area of the new reserve, Steart Marsh. Best seen, for light conditions around midday, from the Parrett bank.

I have it on good authority that the buff-bellied pipit is definite. Apparently it was a brief view (c30 seconds) before it moved on with the meadow pipit flock which also held water pipits and rock pipits.

Male Harrier being mobbed Westhay Nature Reserve Wednesday morning, 20th Oct. I am not expert enough to know if male Harrier or the Pallid Harrier.

Looking at the photos above, it is not the same one.

Not vry good at this messaging. It was grey with black wing tips.

If the back was all-grey, then most likely a male hen harrier Rebecca.

Brilliant, thank you. Yes, it looked all grey. very beautiful.

Pallid Harrier seen well at 16:15 from Mendip Hide - had not been seen since about 0900.

Other birds on or about the reserve included :

2 Peregrines
2 Merlin (fem)
6 Kestrel (at least!)
1 GW Egret
2 Ravens
1 SE Owl - flushed at dusk near Wall Common
100+ - very flighty - Avocets along Stockland Reach
8 Little Egret
50 + Golden Plover on the reserve
Other waders included Knot,both Godwits & Grey Plover
and a RL Partridge!

A great new reserve which will doubtless feature significantly in the sightings page in the future.

Juvenile Pallid Harrier Showed Several Times From The Mendip Hide This Morning.

Also On Site;

1 Female/Juvenile Merlin, 1 Adult Female & 1 Adult Male Peregrine, 1 Female Sparrow Hawk, 4 Kestrels & 4 Common Buzzards.

No Sign Today Of The 'Top Gun' Juvenile Female Peregrine.

Much To The Relief Of The Brent Geese I Suspect.

Pallid harrier seen going to ground late Monday afternoon, in tall vegetation right out in the middle of Steart Marsh (ie the large tidal area of WWT Steart Marshes!)

05-11. At 17:00 hrs tonight in failing light a ring-tailed harrier, hopefully the Pallid Harrier, was giving the roosting waders on Stert Point a hard time. It eventually flew west along the coastal reed bed and then across the village towards Steart Marsh This might not be a regular pattern of behaviour but it is the third time I have seen the bird fly, well after sunset, from the coast, past the west end of the village and towards Steart Marsh.