The hen harrier observed

This beautiful composition is based on a description of hen harriers skydancing in Orkney as acutely observed by James Macdonald Lockhart in his prize-winning book 'Raptor'. The words are read by Tom Kane, with music also by him. The completing touch with video was provided by Jenny Shelton, drawing on the RSPB's video library.

[@nathanwilliams2152]

I’ve never seen these birds in the wild. They look so beautiful - and the female dwarfs her male counterpart! I hope they can recover in the UK.

[@andrewbranch4075]

I saw a male this afternoon. I live in Gosport Hampshire. It's coastal and there's also marsh and wetlands here. I can't believe I was lucky enough to see it. I was riding my bike and it flew over me to the right about 15 feet away.

[@birdwatcher4147]

Awesome, absolutely awesome video. 👏👏👏

[@hilaryreilly784]

Absolutely breath-taking.

[@teamparkeral]

Well done my friend!

[@martinlintzgy1361]

I was blessed to be able to see a very similar skydance yesterday a few feet over my head at my own home, east Co.clare.

[@tui8367]

I love the narrating and scenery

[@ThomasWeiskirch]

Beautiful footage of a fantastic bird.

[@heinihefti8969]

Beautiful footage of this stunning bird!

[@dabwildlife4423]

Wow..what an amazing video! Love it so much

[@peterbrown8880]

A fantastic wee video of fantastic birds with delightful narrating

[@deeclark386]

Beautiful, thank you

[@NeidalRuekk]

You could be forgiven for thinking female hen harriers are a variant of Short-eared owls.

[@Nigel-nar53]

Amazing, It's hard to believe anyone would want to persecute such beauty!

[@pictlandpickers1171]

Just saw one on islay

[@harryflashman6828]

I've got a pair in my garden in SW France. They're big birds.

[@kennymacm3031]

I see them occasionally , have only seen three females in recent years and one male a long time ago.

[@jonathansamuel7033]

I think I saw 5 of them today in forest of bowland flying together . Parents and juveniles

[@CamillaI]

Great action here subscribed 👍

[@eagleowlfeathers4156]

Brilliant footage of a fantastic bird. Strange that some evil folk out there shoot and poison them . Long live the #henharrier

[@Penlidtechnic]

Luckily not all of the shooting community are like this. Bad eggs in all aspects of life. I witnessed this with my own eyes this weekend while out shooting. I shot nothing. But got to sit and watch many wonders of nature. Wonders most will never see. I then gave the exact location to the raptor man for him to log it. We aren't all bad.

[@AlanTobacco]

Bloody farmers

[@mickleblade]

Ah ! So it is a hen harrier that lives down the lane. Thanks

[@georgepats1168]

I love this guy's accent,great

[@AlanTobacco]

Sounds like Neil Oliver

[@명치좌]

잿빛개구리매 수컷(흰색)과 암컷(회색)이네요

[@RaymondKnapp-z4p]

Harriers all very well introducing them to Hampshire but this could be to the detriment of local bird life, we have a male that comes and goes with birds from our garden feeders so you win some and loose some???

[@alancranston9328]

That would not be a hen harrier. They are no threat to garden birds.

[@patrickfeehan6975]

it's not introducing, it's restoring, and they ARE local bird life, or at least they should be

[@kevinturner5857]

Absolutely awesome creatures , sit back with a pint of Hen Harrier Ale ( fabulous pint) & drink to the future of our beautiful hen harriers 😁👍