Dec. 27, 2024: in winter months, Northern Harriers hover low over Falmouth’s salt water marshes, using buoyant flight and sharp senses to hunt small mammals and birds in open, windswept habitats. This Harrier was recently seen at Great Sippewissett Marsh in West Falmouth.

The Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius), a graceful raptor, is a regular winter visitor to Cape Cod. During the colder months, they can often be seen hovering low over open fields, salt marshes, and coastal meadows, where they hunt for small mammals and birds. Their distinctive hunting style and habitat preference make them a striking feature of the Cape’s winter landscape. Here’s a detailed description of their hovering habits:

Hovering Behavior
– Flight Style: Northern Harriers are known for their buoyant, almost effortless flight, characterized by slow, deliberate wingbeats and frequent glides. When hunting, they will often hover or kite in place, facing into the wind to maintain stability as they scan the ground for prey.
– Technique: While hovering, harriers use their long, rounded wings and fan-shaped tail to control their position, creating a remarkable display of precision and balance.
– Height: They typically hover just 5 to 15 feet above the ground, providing a close vantage point to detect movement in the vegetation below.

Hunting Focus
– Prey: Their primary prey in winter includes voles, mice, and small birds. On Cape Cod, salt marshes and grassy fields often harbor abundant small mammals, which attract these skilled hunters.
– Adaptations: Northern Harriers have an owl-like facial disk, which helps them hear as well as see prey in low light or under vegetation.

Habitat on Cape Cod
– Locations: Key wintering sites on Cape Cod include the Great Marshes, Sandy Neck, Fort Hill, and other expansive marshes and meadows. These areas provide the open landscapes and prey populations harriers need to thrive.
– Seasonal Behavior: During the winter months, when prey is scarcer, harriers may spend more time hovering and patrolling larger areas to find sufficient food.

Their hauntingly graceful presence, combined with their unique hovering technique, makes the Northern Harrier a favorite among winter birders on Cape Cod.