Up on the Warslow Moors today and got some great views of a ringtail Hen Harrier. There has been a pair overwintering up here for the last couple of years so hopefully the male is around too. I say hopefully but these birds are really badly persecuted and we've lost birds before to shooting and poisoning.

Anyway, the birds been hanging around the moors to the east of Ramshaw Rocks. If you look on an ordnance survey map of the white peak you'll see an area of moorland marked MOD danger area. It's where the military used to do live firing exercises. The bird was flying over here but has also been seen near swallowmoss triangle, just a little further south east. The birds mostly show around dusk, when they quarter the moor in search of prey. I've got to say the males look awesome with there light grey plumage.

If you do venture up, wrap up warm. It's a bit chilly up here at the moment.

paul