On this page

The books are listed in order of publication date with the most recent at the top..

The Raptor Page

Harriers

In the UK

Western Marsh Harrier
(Eurasian Marsh Harrier)
Circus aeruginosus

Hen Harrier
(Northern Harrier)
Circus cyaneus

Montagu's Harrier
Circus pygargus

Worldwide

Eastern Marsh Harrier
Circus spilonotus

African Marsh Harrier
Circus ranivorus

Swamp Harrier
Circus approximans

Malagasy Harrier
Circus macrosceles

Réunion Harrier
Circus maillardi

Long-winged Harrier
Circus buffoni

Spotted Harrier
Circus assimilis

Black Harrier
Circus maurus

Cinereous Harrier
Circus cinereus

Pallid Harrier
Circus macrourus

Pied Harrier
Circus melanoleucos

Eyles' Harrier
Circus eylesi (prehistoric)

Wood Harrier
Circus dossenus (prehistoric)

Madagascar Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides radiatus

African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typus

Crane Hawk
Geranospiza caerulescens

Hen Harrier

Donald Watson

Bloomsbury

2017

This is new edition of the 1977 Poyser publication. The text is unchanged. The foreword is written for this edition.

"An acknowledged classic of narrative nature-writing, Donald Watson's The Hen Harrier was the culmination of a lifetime's study of this beautiful upland bird. A gentle, warm and wonderfully written book, The Hen Harrier stems from an age of 'amateur' conservation, from the pen of a man who cared deeply about birds and their habitats, especially of the Scottish borders where he conducted much of his research and painting. The book was among the last of a dying breed; it would be thirty years or more before writing on our natural history would again reach the heights of accessibility to nature-lovers exemplified by Donald Watson and his peers".

In the Shadow of Slemish: My Life With The Hen Harrier

Don Scott

2010

Also published by Whittles Publishing as The Hen Harrier: In the Shadow of Slemish

" The hen harrier is one of the iconic species of the bird world and its history is a mix of controversy, persecution, and recent patchy recovery. This book, a dedicated study of the bird in N. Ireland for over two decades, provides a detailed account of the life, habits and prospects for the bird. The author presents much new information about the harrier in its continuing struggle to re-establish its hold despite high levels of persecution from man or predation by other species. Having spent thousands of hours over many years studying these birds, he was rewarded by the discovery that this ground-nesting species was nesting in tall conifers in the forests of County Antrim - the only country throughout their vast European range where this occurs annually. Other significant finds soon became apparent as did the discovery that red kites were nesting for the first time and marsh harriers had returned to nest for the first time in almost 200 years. The author's passion for the bird is obvious as he shares moments of excitement and sadness, and he speaks frankly about the maltreatment and mismanagement of this elegant raptor over the years."

In Search of Harriers

Donald Watson

2009

"This book covers over fifty years of Donald's work, and includes a stunning collection of Harrier paintings, individual studies and sketches, along with related informative text. The book also includes a fine selection of paintings depicting associated species, for example species of prey."

Harriers: Journeys Around the World

Don Scott

2008

"Until recently harriers were one of the least known group of birds but after an in-depth study of the Hen Harrier in Northern Ireland, Don Scott succeeded in his passion to observe and study all 16 of the World's species as well as the single subspecies of harrier. This quest which began over 20 years ago in Don's home country has taken him to six continents. His sometimes dangerous journeys encompassed many exotic locations where harriers had previously received little general interest or scientific attention. The author's dogged persistence in the field enabled him to witness traits of behaviour previously unknown in harriers. It began with the unique discovery of tree-nesting Hen Harriers and culminated with the Papuan Harrier in Papua New Guinea. This book will be irresistible to birders and biologists alike. It not only highlights the sheer majesty of harriers but helps focus our attention to their individual plights which if left unrecognized will result in an uncertain future for many of the species which make up this group of birds. The stunning photographs which grace this book have been generously provided to the author by his friends and travelling companions many of whom are themselves well-known international raptor experts."

Harriers of the World: Their Behaviour and Ecology

Robert E. Simmons & John R. Simmons

2000

"Here for the first time the biology of the world's harriers is treated within one cover, in readily accessible language. There are detailed comparisons of northern and southern species, descriptions of mating systems and population dynamics life histories, and insights into the selection pressures shaping the birds' life histories. The author addresses such questions as how females choose partners against their apparent self- interest, how they adjust to prevailing circumstances to produce the optimal clutch size, and what underlies variations in size dimorphism and copulation patterns. New information resulting from a DNA examination of the group reveals three new harrier species and allows construction of a new phylogeny of the harriers. The book is brought to life by fine original line drawings of these impressive birds by the author's twin brother."

Contents: Preface; Introduction: Changing perspectives - from natural history to behavioural ecology; Evolution and peculiarities of the harriers; Aerial displays: Mate choice and reverse dimorphism; Of mice and harriers: Who wins the arms race?; Mating patterns: Polygyny and deception; Copulation patterns and sperm depletion; Sex ratio and egg size manipulation; Food and reproduction in the tropics; Clutch size and latitude; Synthesis; References; Index.

Montague's Harrier

Roger Clarke

Arlequin Publications

1996

A study of the ecology, behavouir and biology of the Montagu's Harrier.

"A Man who is passionate about his subject and who's combination of enthusiasm and scientific details echoes writings of an earlier era, such as the New Naturalist monographs...deserves a place on the bookshelves of any birdlover." BBC Wildlife Magazine.

The Marsh Harrier

Roger Clarke

Hamlyn

1995

A study of the biology, behaviour and conservation of the marsh harrier.

Ecological Assessment Of Impact Of Road Construction On Merlin Falco Columbarius And Hen Harrier Circus Cyaneus In Perthshire

Bell, D.

British Trust for Ornithology

1990

20 page report.

Harriers Of The British Isles

Roger Clarke

1990

Harrier, Hawk of the Marshes: The Hawk That is Ruled by a Mouse

Frances Hamerstrom

Smithsonian Books

1986

Discusses the physical characteristics and habits of the Northern harrier hawk as revealed in a twenty-five year study

Hen Harrier

Donald Watson

1977

The introductory section of this book provides information on the worldwide distribution of the harrier family. This is followed by detailed examination of the Hen Harrier in Europe and North America. This section includes information about its history and present status, hunting methods and prey selection, breeding cycle, migration and distribution. The final section is an account of the Hen Harrier in Donald Watson's study areas in Scotlands. The book includes the author's colour paintings, line drawings and reproductions from his field sketch books.

Saga of Swans and Harrier over the Fen

Kenneth Richmond

1949

"This book. which contains two narratives of bird life, will delight the wildfowler, the bird watcher and the nature lover. Saga of Swans is largely the result of the authors's observations of a solitary Whooper Swan which spent two years on a Lincolnshire mere. during that time there were ample opportunities for studying the the swan at close quarters and of getting to know it as an individual and as a character. The life of the swan is pictured; his home life in Iceland; his flight with his family to the Outer Isles thence to Solway, the Northumbrian lochs, Derwentwater and Crowland Wash, and his sojourn there for two seasons with a pair of Mute Swans.

Harrier over the Fen describes the private life of one of the rarest of British breeding birds, the Marsh Harrier. Here too is a tale crowded in incident, yet with a background which is strictly authentic. This is a world of sedge and dyke, peopled by the skulking Bittern, the sly Rail and above all, floating like a spirit of the waters, the figure of Girriak, handsomest and most majestic of fenhawks'.