Hen harrier Circus cyaneus

Medium sized Harrier that frequents moorland and estuaries

Habitat: freshwater marshes, moors, heaths, estuaries and shores

Resident in N. Britain, winter visitor to the south including Essex

Male: grey all over with black wingtips, white rump and yellow legs

Hunts over open areas, often perching openly

Eats small birds and mammals; flies low over ground

Nest is a platform of sticks and twigs hidden in low vegetation

1 Brood April – June ; 4-6 pale blue eggs

Birds often roost communally in reedbed or on saltmarsh