Harrier and Teals

Northern Harriers glide and hover over open fields to hunt for small mammals and songbirds. They migrate to our saltwater marshes in the winter since they tend to be more open with less snow cover than inland fields. This Harrier passed over a salt panne as it was hunting.

The panne was full of ducks and geese, none of which paid attention to the Harrier with the exception of a flock of Green-winged Teals. Most of the ducks seemed to know that the Harrier is not a predator of adult waterfowl, especially if they are on the water. But the smaller Teals were apparently not taking any chances and took to the air.

The Harrier pounced on something on the far side of the panne and disappeared into the marsh grass for a while. That meant the end of some small rodent.

The Harrier left after its meal and the Teal returned from another nearby panne. They weren’t in any danger but I guess it doesn’t hurt to be a bit more careful when you are the little guy in the pond.