Get to know birds of prey with our guide to what you could see in winter.
Want to get out and seek some of our most spectacular birds of prey this winter? Read on to discover which key raptors are at large right now and find out where to go in search of these predatory masters.
The UK’s coastal marshes, wetlands and grasslands are home to huge numbers of birds and other wildlife during the colder winter months. These often remote and windswept locales provide a welcome refuge for countless waders and wildfowl along with all manner of small birds and rodents. And of course, this in turn attracts a host of predators keen to take full advantage of this seasonal smorgasbord.
Scanning across an open estuarine landscape, you notice a sudden explosion of birds as hundreds of panicking Golden Plovers, Lapwings and Redshanks take noisily to the air. Keep scanning – and soon you come across the unmistakable shape of a bird of prey as it rises above the swirling flock. It is a Peregrine and it is on the hunt.
Like many other birds of prey, this Peregrine knows that these marshes offer the potential to find food during this toughest part of the year. It will likely have spent the summer months in the uplands, but now the majestic falcon will spend the winter months patrolling the saltmarshes, hunting ducks, wading birds and any other birds that fail to evade its aerial sorties.
Medium (Crow / pigeon sized)
Slate blue / grey above, pale below, black hood and mask with white cheeks
Fast, hunts birds in flight often from height
Also out there, is another falcon. This one is considerably smaller and it targets Meadow Pipits and other small birds along with the occasional vole or shrew. It is a Merlin and the sight of this dashing diminutive raptor is guaranteed to brighten up any birdwatcher’s day.
Like the Peregrine, these predatory birds nest in the uplands and move to the coast in winter. UK breeders are joined by birds from Iceland too, swelling our wintering population.
Small (Mistle Thrush sized)
Male blue / grey above, grey tail with black band, buff below. Larger female brown / grey above with barred tail and wings
Fast, hunts birds in flight, often keeping low
Another bird to look out for while surveying these broad open landscapes is the rare Hen Harrier. These moorland specialists also descend to our coastal marshes at this time of year and may be seen at a number of sites around the UK.
The ghostly form of a pristine male harrier, all pale grey with jet-black wing tips, as it drifts slowly, low over the marsh is a winter highlight for those lucky enough to spot one. Look out too for the equally impressive females, with their subtle mix of browns, creams and ochres accompanied by a distinctive crisp white rump.
Medium / large (Common Gull sized)
Male is pale grey above with black wing tips and white rump, pale below with blue grey head. Female heavily barred brown above with white rump, underparts paler and barred /streaked.
Slow, often low flight
In recent winters, Marsh Harriers have become an increasingly regular sight around many of our estuaries and marshes. Until fairly recently these large birds were purely summer migrants, returning to Africa following the breeding season every autumn. A succession of mostly milder winters alongside an increase in breeding birds in the UK, has resulted in several locations now hosting significant numbers of Marsh Harriers and some winter roosts can hold in excess of fifty birds!
The dark chocolate brown females and juveniles, with varying amounts of pale yellow or orangey head and wing markings, are quite distinct from the striking males which sport a brown back, black-tipped grey wings and grey tail and a creamy head.
Medium / large (larger than Hen Harrier, closer to Herring Gull)
Female dark brown above and below with cream / yellow crown, forewing and sometimes on breast. Male grey tail and wings with black tips. Brown back and pale yellowy head and under parts.
Soars with shallow V-shaped wings
Another bird to watch out for around our more rugged and wild coasts is the White-tailed Eagle. This enormous raptor was once widespread but sadly, it became extinct in the UK in the early part of the 20th century due wholly to persecution from humans.
After several decades of concerted conservation efforts and releases, this titanic beast has returned once more to Scottish skies where it now successfully breeds in sustainable numbers. Following further recent reintroductions in the south of England this majestic eagle looks set to return to many of its former haunts in the coming years.
Huge (largest UK bird of prey)
Adults alike, all brown with pale yellowish head and white tail. Younger birds (until around 5 years old) retain brown tail.
One other truly scarce winter raptor to keep an eye out for is the Rough-legged Buzzard. This rather enigmatic bird does not breed in the UK but arrives here from Scandinavia in varying numbers most winters. Given the birds’ origins, the majority of sightings come from the east coast from Scotland down to Kent though in ‘bumper’ years, following a particularly good breeding season, they can turn up just about anywhere.
Superficially similar to a Common Buzzard in appearance, these rare visitors can be a challenge to identify. Their white tail with a dark band, pale underparts with dark belly and ‘elbow’ patches are useful pointers. They hover frequently while hunting and tend to favour open landscapes, so coastal marshes and open arable areas are great places to find a ‘rough-leg’.
Medium / large (slightly larger and longer-winged than Common Buzzard)
Brown above, white tail with dark band at tip. Pale below often with dark belly, wing tips and carpal patches (‘elbows’)
Often hovers while hunting
If you fancy a day of winter raptor watching, here are few places that may well be worth a visit. Check with RSPB nature reserve teams upon arrival to get the latest updates on where best to look.
Dee Estuary – Parkgate, Cheshire
The unique setting of this vast saltmarsh provides the perfect combination of stunning landscape, rich wildlife and excellent eateries. Visit at high tide to look for wildfowl, wading birds, birds of prey and owls.
Raptors such as Marsh and Hen Harriers spend the winter at this coastal reserve. They can be seen hunting during the day and then gathering to roost at dusk.
Blacktoft Sands, East Yorkshire
Many Marsh Harriers come into roost during winter afternoons. They are often joined by Hen Harriers and Merlins. Peregrines and Barn Owls may also be seen hunting.
Cliffe Pools is a remote and beautiful reserve with open horizons, the ideal destination for spectacular winter birdwatching. A number of trails of varying lengths offer great views over the pools, the wildlife and the River Thames.
Leighton Moss boasts the largest reed bed in north-west England and is home to a wide range of spectacular wildlife including Bitterns, Otters and Bearded Tits. In winter look out for Marsh Harriers, Merlins, Peregrines and Sparrowhawks.
Hesketh Out Marsh is a unique site that is part of the Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve, which also includes RSPB Marshside. This rare saltmarsh habitat is home to a variety of wonderful winter raptors including Hen Harriers, Marsh Harriers and Merlins.
Blessed with a variety of freshwater habitats, Frampton Marsh provides close views of the abundant birdlife of The Wash, one of Europe's most special places for wildlife.
Located on the north coast of Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh is blessed with diverse habitats that include reedbeds, saltmarsh and freshwater lagoons.
Look out for patrolling Marsh Harriers and other birds of prey as they cause panic among the huge numbers of ducks and Coots at this vast wetland site, in the shadow of Glastonbury Tor.
Lough Foyle County, Londonderry
RSPB Lough Foyle is an internationally important wetland site on Northern Ireland’s north coast. It’s vast, open estuarine vistas provide a superb birding experience.
Loch Gruinart is one of the top wildlife sites in Scotland, with a wide range of habitats and a dedicated in-house farming operation that benefits many species. Some winter raptors to watch out for include Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle and Merlin.
Forsinard Flows is part of a vast expanse of blanket bog and mountains known as the Flow Country. The Flow Country is one of Scotland's most important natural treasures and the RSPB looks after more than 21,000 hectares of it.
Located on the shore of Loch Sunart on Scotland’s west coast, the rugged Ardnamurchan peninsula is home to a wide range of spectacular birds including Golden and White-tailed Eagles.
The Insh Marshes covers 10 square kilometres of the River Spey floodplain between Kingussie and Kincraig. It is one of the most important wetland areas in Europe.
Just 30 minutes from Glasgow, this wetland is a great place to look out for birds of prey. In winter, it’s also home to Whooper Swans, Wigeon, Goldeneye and a wide variety of other ducks.
Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire
This nature reserve on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond offers fantastic views of the loch and plenty of opportunities to see birds of prey. White-tailed Eagles have even been spotted here!
The lakes, ponds and ditches that make up Cors Ddyga are some of the most important in the UK. At Cors Ddyga, Marsh Harriers, Peregrines, Kestrels, Buzzards, Red Kites and Sparrowhawks are regular. Merlins are also quite frequent and you can see a Hen Harrier if you are lucky!
Dee Estuary Point of Ayr, Flintshire
This remote part of the Dee Estuary reserve, which also includes RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, is located on the northern-most tip of Wales, and has a vibrant mix of beach, sand dune, shingle and saltmarsh to explore.
This stunning reserve, located between the mountains of southern Snowdonia to the north and the Cambrian mountains to the south provides a perfect destination for winter birdwatching. Keep an eye out for Merlin, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and if you’re really lucky, Goshawk.
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