FIELDCRAFT

RAPTOR ROOSTS

February is often the coldest month of the year. And what better way to go out and enjoy a bracing afternoon than watching birds of prey come in to a communal roost. Several species choose to roost with members of the same type, and some will also roost in the same area as other birds of prey. Raptors such as Red Kites, may gather in flocks of 100 or more (where they are numerous), circling round and landing in tall trees, sometimes forming a pre-roost gathering, before heading for a more covered spot as it becomes dark. Others, like Marsh or Hen Harriers, will circle low over an area of reeds or rough, long grass, often staggered over some time, sorting out which bird will be 'permitted' to settle where. One bonus of watching a winter raptor roost is that you may encounter a variety of other species also coming to roost, as well as others, notably owls and Woodcocks just flying out to start their night of feeding.