Spotted Harriers, have enormous territories. I’m told to 10,000sqkm. But I don’t have a way of measuring. I do know that they are very much nomadic in our area. Might see one or two for some months, and years can go by before the next sighting.

We’ve seen several pairs come, nest and then go, and always have high hopes for a sighting.

One has been working around the coastal park and out into the wider volcanic grasslands.

The other morning, a fuss by the local Magpie clans was enough to sweep about to see.
And there coming down a fenceline, in the typical languid flight, was a Spotted Harrier.

Followed by a flotilla of Magpies.

Magpies can really only call, and make mock attacts, because despite its apparent slow, lazy flight, your average Spottie can turn a knot or two of speed if necessary and it has those long dangling bits hanging out the bottom which is can indeed use with surgical precision. I once saw one attach to a clawful of Brown Falcon feathers, and the Brown was lucky it was body feathers, as if its had been a wing it would have no doubt suffered severe and serious damage. If they can pick up a rabbit and not even hesitate in flight, grabbing a close approach Magpie would happen in the blink of an eye.

After a minute or two the Magpies felt they had achieved their warning and Spottie continued along the fence line and flew past me.

Enjoy.

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