Dad surprised me this morning by coming down to the beach. I was about half way to the outlet when I looked down the beach and there he was. I told him that I had seen a Northern Harrier over the swimming area. It wasn’t long until the bird circled back and flew over the backwater. It was an immature bird with lots of warm brown tones and narrow barring on the wings. The tail, long for a raptor, had wide bars, dark brown contrasting with white. The white rump is the most obvious field mark.
The Harrier hunts by flying low over the dunes or marshes and hovering over his prey. We didn’t see him catch anything this time.
There was not much more of interest. The shorebirds and warblers haven’t come in yet and the summer residents, though still here, are no longer singing. It seems quiet and empty.
We are very excited for Lisa and her new job!! Good luck!!!!!