Northern Harriers are a bird of prey the nests mainly along the coast of Massachusetts in the swampland/wetlands areas. In the winter they overwinter along meadows and fields inland and down south. This winter (2015/16) 3 females have been overwintering at Massachusetts Audubon's Arcadia Bird Sanctuary right on the CT. River in Easthampton MA..
Today was another visit to the harriers hanging out and feeding in the meadows of Massachusetts Audubons Arcadia Sanctuary in Easthampton, MA. Here's one of the acrobats in action ! 1/17/16
Female harriers are brown and males are gray. Sometimes called the gray ghosts.
Lift off !
The harrier spots something in the grass and starts to dive on it as its unsuspectedly sits in the long grass. Its not fun to be a mouse I guess! Arcadia Sanctuary, 12/8/15
They just soar close to the ground looking for mice and voles.
These two were watching for a mouse or vole to pop out of the grass. They reminded me of a couple of cats.
Ready to drop on an un suspecting mouse !
Always looking from side to side for lunch.
Every once in a while they will start chasing each other on fly as high as to be almost out of sight, then come straight back down close together. It looks like fun !
The Flying Walandas !! :)
I can see for miles, well yards.......
A female harrier peeks at me after deciding she may have landed next to a UFO ! .... ME......... Arcadia Bird Sanctuary, Easthampton MA. 2/7/16
I cant get enough of these beautiful hawks. A female northern harrier at Arcadia today lifts off from a small wet area she was sitting in. She landed 35 yards away and stayed there for a few seconds while I had her in my sights focused until she lifted off. This is the results !! 2/4/16
The proof is here in this photo. Harriers do not break the speed limit !! :) Plum Island, 12/21/15
I had such a good time watching these hawks hunt last week at Arcadia I went back today. All three were out at midmorning hunting the fields for mice. This female was just taking off. 12/15/15
Getting ready to "drop in for dinner" at Arcadia this morning. 12/15/15