Rare Northern Harrier spotted at Inch Wildlife Reserve in Donegal

An extremely rare Northern Harrier was photographed this week at Inch Wildlife Reserve in Inishowen, Donegal.

The bird, a North American relative of the hen harrier, was captured by photographer Joe Boland of North West NewsPix. It is believed to be a female and is one of the few such raptors ever recorded in Ireland and Britain.

The Northern Harrier, which flies low over open fields and marshes with its wings held in a distinctive V‑shape, was seen hunting for rodents. Its appearance has attracted birdwatchers from across the island, keen to observe the unusual sighting.

Although primarily found across North America, the species is an extremely rare visitor to the British Isles. The photograph taken at Inch Wildlife Reserve highlights the importance of the site for wildlife enthusiasts and underscores the occasional arrival of trans‑Atlantic bird species.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Anna Lupa / Pexels.