Pallid Harrier

A male Pallid Harrier had been reported from Bowland near Dunsop Bridge earlier this week. I had thought about going yesterday (Friday) on the way back from work but decided I didn't have time to get there before dark. I had a list of jobs I needed to do today and, seeing as I'm heading off to Scotland next week for a few days birding I didn't expect to get a pass out today. Anyway, I somehow managed to get all my jobs done by early afternoon and was out with the dog when I noticed a tweet from a birder saying the bird was showing well and was really worth seeing. So, I chanced my arm and put the suggestion to my other half who, remarkably, didn't raise any objections. I didn't need any encouragement. It was 15.30 and I reckoned it would take me an hour to get there, plus at least a 45 minute walk to the actual site, so I was pushing it but set off anyway.

At 16:45 I pulled into the car park at Dunsop Bridge. I quickly changed into my boots, grabbed my bins and scope and set off for the yomp up to where the bird was. Its a pity I had to walk so fast; the valley is a brilliant birding location and there's always plenty to keep a birder interested on the walk, but I didn't have time. I was literally walking as fast as I could. On the way up I bumped into two birders I know, both told me the bird was still showing which was encouraging.

The last bit of the trek is up a short sharp climb and by the time I got to the point where it levelled out I was pretty hot and had a sweat on. Just before the top a dog walker stopped me and said the birders at the top had been watching a 'sea eagle' I said 'Do you mean Pallid Harrier?' 'No, definitely a sea eagle' was his reply. I almost sprinted the last bit. Three birders were stood overlooking the valley, pretty much in the exact same place I spent a few hours looking for the Eagle Owl a few years ago. They confirmed they had seen the bird and had also had the Eagle. One of them showed me a picture and there was no doubt.

Within two or three minutes the main reason for my visit put in an appearance. What a beautiful bird! It was so pale, crisp, and clean. It glided across the opposite slope and perched up for a few minutes giving great scope views. I had decided not to carry my phoneskope attachment, and had opted for my bridge camera instead of the DSLR. Big mistake. Although the extra zoom should have been useful in theory, the lack of manual focus and manual controls meant I couldn't get any decent shots. I did manage a handheld shot on my phone through the scope.

The bird performed brilliantly and even did a bit of sky dancing. It was just an awesome bird. Well worth the effort. Just hope it manages to survive its stay. As for the White-tailed Eagle. Nothing.