I have a fondness for harriers. Their numbers have rebounded after a long decline caused by the DDT that was sprayed in the fields, that inhibited egg shell formation, so a lot of grassland raptors here nearly died out. We have marsh harriers, hen harriers, and pallid harriers here.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179430-a1.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179435-1a.jpg)
These two spent a while flying like that, but I think Mr. Harrier was rejected. The next day, I found some white feathers with blood near the spot where I photographed them, and then saw him, pretty beat up and preening, alone.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179424-photo_2023_06_10_22_02_36.jpg)
These are pretty rare, especially in Europe. Most pallid harriers there migrate to and from Africa through Malta, and the Maltese have a habit of shooting everything that moves. Our Siberian population is more stable, but cheap pesticides are a big threat.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179432-a3.jpg)
Black kites are everywhere here, but they are pleasant birds, and their call means spring has arrived. Our population migrates to India every winter, just like our white-tailed eagles.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179431-a2.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179436-1b.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179421-2010.07.18_milvus.lineatus_005_2.jpg)
I was lucky to find this HUGE osprey nest on a Scots pine in the middle of a big peatbog/muskeg, where normal people don't normally go.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179422-img_6878_resize.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179423-img_6829_resize.jpg)
Falcons are difficult to photograph in flight. I spotted this one flying along the road when we were driving through the Kulunda steppe with my dad. I asked to stop the car, jumped out, focused and took this picture. Hobbies are not very common here. We also have two pairs of peregrine falcons nesting on tall buildings in my neighborhood, but I've been too lazy to go there and take pictures, since there are plenty of good pictures of them already taken by actual birdwatchers.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179429-2010.06.18_falco.subbuteo_014.jpg)
Few people like goshawks, because they are chicken thieves. I like watching them hunt pigeons in the city. I photographed this one up north on Vorna Hatl, the Crow Day, when the Khanty celebrate the return of crows signalling the beginning of the spring. A few other crows and magpies tried to save their friend, but the goshawk was determined.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2023/06/full-50953-179440-11112.jpg)