Hawkmaster
27-01-2005, 10:30 PM
Harpy eagle (Harpia Harpyja)
Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicintus)
Hawaiian hawk (Buteo Solitarius)
Hawk owl (Surnia Ulula)
Hen harrier (Circus Cyaneus)
Of the UK's birds of prey, this is the most intensively persecuted. Once predating free-range fowl, earning its present name, its effect on the number of grouse available to shoot is the cause of modern conflict and threatens its survival in some parts of the UK. While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. They fly with wings held in a shallow 'V', gliding low in search of food.
Where does it live?
Breeding
In the UK, it is entirely restricted to heather moorlands, usually below 500m and especially where there is old, deep (35-60cm) heather. Young conifer plantations are also used. Moors managed for grouse shooting are particularly attractive to hen harriers because they have vegetation of mixed ages. Hen harriers generally avoid grasslands for breeding but they can be popular for foraging, since they support high numbers of birds and mammals that are the harriers' main prey.
Wintering
Open countryside - lowland farmland, marshland and conifer plantations in SW Scotland; farmland, fenland, heathlands and river valleys in E and SE England. They roost on saltmarshes, heathland and commonland.
Where to see it
The hen harrier lives in open areas with low vegetation. In the breeding season UK birds are to be found on the upland heather moorlands of Wales, Northern England, N Ireland and Scotland (as well as the Isle of Man). In winter they move to lowland farmland, heathland, coastal marshes, fenland and river valleys. Those found in eastern and south-east England are probably mostly visitors from mainland Europe.
What does it eat?
Mainly small birds and mammals.
What does it sound like?
Mainly silent
When to see it
They arrive back on upland breeding areas from late March and stay there until August and September. Away from breeding areas birds can be seen from October to March and Continental birds will join residents in October and November.
Henst's Goshawk (Accipiter Henstii)
Himalayan Griffon (Gyps Himalayensis)
Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
AKA: Eurasian Hobby
About the size of a kestrel with long pointed wings, reminiscent of a giant swift. It has a dashing flight and will chase large insects and small birds like swallows and martins. Prey is often caught in its talons and transferred to its beak in flight. Can accelerate rapidly in flight and is capable of high-speed aerial manoeuvres.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Likes mature trees in farmland, woodland edges and heathland, with areas of open countryside and water nearby to feed over.
Wintering
areas of savannah with scattered trees, damp woodlands and wetlands in Africa.
Where to see it
Now breeds across central, southern and eastern England, into S Wales and just about reaching northn England and S Scotland. Best looked for hunting over woodland edges, heathlands where there is plenty of large insect prey. Gravel pits are a popular feeding areas in late summer when there is plenty of food.
What does it eat?
Insects and small birds
What does it sound like?
A scolding 'kew kew kew kew'
When to see it
Arrives in the UK from April onwards and mainly leaves in September and October. Best looked for on warm summer days when there are plenty of dragonflies, summer chafers and other prey around.
Honey buzzard (cf. western honey buzzard)
The honey buzzard is a large bird of prey that is similar to the buzzard. It has got broad wings and a long tail. The plumage is very variable across all ages; typical adults are greyish-brown on its upperparts and whitish underparts. The nest sites of British breeding birds are usually kept secret to protect them from egg collectors. Numbers are increasing, perhaps as a result of upland conifer forest maturing. It is a summer visitor to its breeding sites and spends the winter in Africa.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Lowland deciduous or mixed woodland and in upland conifer forests
Wintering
Equatorial African forest
Passage
Almost anywhere over south and east coasts adn exceptionally inland in autumns when European birds pass over.
Where to see it
It nests in southern and eastern England, Wales, northern England and northern Scotland. There are wardened watchpoints in Devon and Norfolk.
What does it eat?
Mainly insect larvae of wasps and bees
What does it sound like?
Usually silent, but can make piping noises near nest
When to see it
Mid-May to mid-August
Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes Monachus)
Hook-billed kite (Chondrohierax Uncinatus)
Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax Wilsonii)
Hoy's screech owl (Otus Hoyi)
Hume's tawny owl (Strix Butleri)
Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicintus)
Hawaiian hawk (Buteo Solitarius)
Hawk owl (Surnia Ulula)
Hen harrier (Circus Cyaneus)
Of the UK's birds of prey, this is the most intensively persecuted. Once predating free-range fowl, earning its present name, its effect on the number of grouse available to shoot is the cause of modern conflict and threatens its survival in some parts of the UK. While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. They fly with wings held in a shallow 'V', gliding low in search of food.
Where does it live?
Breeding
In the UK, it is entirely restricted to heather moorlands, usually below 500m and especially where there is old, deep (35-60cm) heather. Young conifer plantations are also used. Moors managed for grouse shooting are particularly attractive to hen harriers because they have vegetation of mixed ages. Hen harriers generally avoid grasslands for breeding but they can be popular for foraging, since they support high numbers of birds and mammals that are the harriers' main prey.
Wintering
Open countryside - lowland farmland, marshland and conifer plantations in SW Scotland; farmland, fenland, heathlands and river valleys in E and SE England. They roost on saltmarshes, heathland and commonland.
Where to see it
The hen harrier lives in open areas with low vegetation. In the breeding season UK birds are to be found on the upland heather moorlands of Wales, Northern England, N Ireland and Scotland (as well as the Isle of Man). In winter they move to lowland farmland, heathland, coastal marshes, fenland and river valleys. Those found in eastern and south-east England are probably mostly visitors from mainland Europe.
What does it eat?
Mainly small birds and mammals.
What does it sound like?
Mainly silent
When to see it
They arrive back on upland breeding areas from late March and stay there until August and September. Away from breeding areas birds can be seen from October to March and Continental birds will join residents in October and November.
Henst's Goshawk (Accipiter Henstii)
Himalayan Griffon (Gyps Himalayensis)
Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
AKA: Eurasian Hobby
About the size of a kestrel with long pointed wings, reminiscent of a giant swift. It has a dashing flight and will chase large insects and small birds like swallows and martins. Prey is often caught in its talons and transferred to its beak in flight. Can accelerate rapidly in flight and is capable of high-speed aerial manoeuvres.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Likes mature trees in farmland, woodland edges and heathland, with areas of open countryside and water nearby to feed over.
Wintering
areas of savannah with scattered trees, damp woodlands and wetlands in Africa.
Where to see it
Now breeds across central, southern and eastern England, into S Wales and just about reaching northn England and S Scotland. Best looked for hunting over woodland edges, heathlands where there is plenty of large insect prey. Gravel pits are a popular feeding areas in late summer when there is plenty of food.
What does it eat?
Insects and small birds
What does it sound like?
A scolding 'kew kew kew kew'
When to see it
Arrives in the UK from April onwards and mainly leaves in September and October. Best looked for on warm summer days when there are plenty of dragonflies, summer chafers and other prey around.
Honey buzzard (cf. western honey buzzard)
The honey buzzard is a large bird of prey that is similar to the buzzard. It has got broad wings and a long tail. The plumage is very variable across all ages; typical adults are greyish-brown on its upperparts and whitish underparts. The nest sites of British breeding birds are usually kept secret to protect them from egg collectors. Numbers are increasing, perhaps as a result of upland conifer forest maturing. It is a summer visitor to its breeding sites and spends the winter in Africa.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Lowland deciduous or mixed woodland and in upland conifer forests
Wintering
Equatorial African forest
Passage
Almost anywhere over south and east coasts adn exceptionally inland in autumns when European birds pass over.
Where to see it
It nests in southern and eastern England, Wales, northern England and northern Scotland. There are wardened watchpoints in Devon and Norfolk.
What does it eat?
Mainly insect larvae of wasps and bees
What does it sound like?
Usually silent, but can make piping noises near nest
When to see it
Mid-May to mid-August
Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes Monachus)
Hook-billed kite (Chondrohierax Uncinatus)
Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax Wilsonii)
Hoy's screech owl (Otus Hoyi)
Hume's tawny owl (Strix Butleri)