It was already late afternoon when I spotted it—a pale shape cutting low across the fields and obviously pursueing another ringtail raptor near the Niederer Fläming in southern Brandenburg. At first glance, it – or both birds – could have passed for Hen Harriers (Circus cyaneus) or even– albeit very early – Montagu’s Harriers (Circus pygargus), but something about it colour (quite a dark face) and its movement felt different. I reached for my binoculars and kept watching. Within minutes, the doubts began to clear.
The individual in question was an Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus), a rare but increasingly regular visitor in Germany during migration periods. Identification, especially in immature birds, can be challenging. However, flight behavior—when observed well—is one of the most reliable clues.
From a distance, certain raptors can be distinguished by their flight style alone, particularly during hunting. The Pallid Harrier shows a purposeful and efficient flight. It moves fast, with powerful and unwavering wingbeats, often compared to the velocity of falcons. When hunting, it crosses the terrain swiftly and directly, often vanishing at the far edge of a field only to reappear long after, having scanned vast areas in a single pass.
In contrast, the Montagu’s Harrier tends to fly in a less determined manner. Its movement is more meandering, with a tendency to drift and hesitate. It often works the same area repeatedly—crisscrossing ditches or field edges slowly, as if reluctant to move on. This slower, less focused hunting pattern sets it apart from the sharp, driven movement of the Pallid Harrier.
To my surprise the images I shot with my Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM on a Canon EOS R5 show a landing Pallid Harrier. But landing in front of a sitting bright bird with yellow eyes: a Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)!
The Pallid Harrier in its second year observed today showed a pale collar and contrasting underwing pattern, with a clean facial expression and minimal streaking—subtleties that further supported the identification. Lighting conditions and distance didn’t allow for clear views of plumage details throughout the observation, but the overall behavior and structure were conclusive. Pallid Harrier change eye-color as other Harriers. There are breeding female Montagu’s Harriers in their second year, sometimes with yellow eyes, sometimes with darker ones. The question is how individual the timing of the eye coloration is. Generally, male Montagu’s Harrier in the second year are earlier and yellower than females in the second year. But I don’t know exactly how it is in Pallid Harrier.
The observation area is identical to that of October 2024, where I had the opportunity to observe a young Pallid Harrier (actual year’s specimen). Of course, it cannot be ruled out that this is one and the same individual. Quite close is a Hen Harrier roosting site on a marshy biotop area is suspected. Up to 2 males & 2 females of Hen Harriers have been observed. And Short-eared Owls have even overwintered there two years in a row.
Sightings like this remind us that also agricultural steppe is habitat – especially for migrating birds. Often these areas are regarded less useful for biodiversity; thus making it easy to devote these areas to wind parks or other land consuming duties.
In order to meet the growing demand for top images of the rarer species of Palaearctic Bird-lens.com has specifically made trips to remote places. Additionally every chance is used, if a rare bird is around the homeground. This to do everything to ensure excellent photos of the Birds of the Western Palearctic. The yield of pictures also of rare Western Palaearctic birds is very good. There are other nice images of birds, that you will find behind the tab “Picture Shop“. Just give a notice if you need a picture of a bird which is not online.