Hi there, The title says it all. The amazing field of red clover, where probably up to 30 harriers have been roosting is being plowed, perhaps as you read this. If you don't know what I am on about, check my posts from January 8.
I went out into the field and asked politely if it was necessary to do that before spring and indicated the reason. While the farmer appreciated the fact that these birds were roosting there, he pointed out he was already running really late in ploughing that field, owing to waiting for the last cutting of clover, which apparently didn't take place, and the amount of rain that they have had. He said that the field wouldn't produce the same quality/quantity of corn, if he waited till spring to turn the clover. I had to give him the benefit t of the doubt, as I am no farmer. It made sense though. In researching this phenomenon, I found that winter roost sites of Northern Harrier can have up to 80 birds involved. This roost, while a modest 30 or so, will have to go elsewhere to congregate at night. This may still be possible in the area, as there are some suitable locations, in my mind. I will give directions below, in case you are down that way, and want to swing by to locate any new roost site. Then if you do, please contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pete Directions. Glencoe is southwest of London, between London and Chatham. Closest exit to the 401 is exit 137, from where you would go north along highway 76 to Longwoods Rd.(road 2), then east to Highway 80 and then north to Glencoe. >From Glencoe, go north on highway 80(Dundonald Rd). Take the sixth road on the left, called Shields Siding Drive, to the west. You will find former roost site when you get to the first corner, Old Airport Road. The harriers were in the northeast field at the intersection, which was a pastured red clover field, and also in a soya bean field to the east and soya bean fields to the south. They have been seen all along that road as well as Roughlegged and Redtailed Hawks. There are a few Short-eared Owls there as well, but they will have to move on to new pastures. Area roads look good for more raptors and owls.
