Female/ringtail Hen Harrier

In my years of birdwatching, female-type post-breeding Hen Harrier, known as a ringtail, is used to identify a bird which is either a female or a juvenile, unless female can be confirmed.

It is generally accepted that females ARE ringtails, as their tails have rings! However, when it comes to identification in the field, it is usually impossible to separate female from juvenile, so when seen, they are reported as ringtails. They are either/or, as can't be determined by the observer.

A ringtail HH has been seen along the Caerlaverock NNR off Shore Road, on the way to Castle Corner, or thereabouts.