northern harrier startled into flight from deep winter grass

Harriers!

Northern harriers are large hawks native to much of North America. In Massachusetts, you’ll often find them gliding very low over grass or marshland in all seasons. They hunt by startling small animals–mostly rodents–and dropping onto them from the air. Though they are not owls, harriers possess a facial disc that focuses sound, and harriers often share habitat (at different times of day) with short-eared owls. These birds are incredibly nimble fliers, and you might see them wheeling over their prey early and late in the day.

northern harrier flying over brown winter grass
northern harrier perched on a fencepost
northern harrier startled into flight from deep winter grass
northern harrier perched in a tree with soft light
northern harrier taking off from a birch stump
northern harrier hovering over long winter reeds
northern harrier wheeling in the air over long fall grass
northern harrier flying over a fall marsh with fall trees in the background
northern harrier perched on a birch stump
northern harrier flying against blue skies
northern harrier taking off from a nest box

All photos © 2025, Derek T. Leuenberger

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