Hook-bills and birding thrills

Kestrel, buzzard, merlin, harrier and sparrowhawk - Paul Morton, founder of the Birds of Poole Harbour, is scanning the harbour’s skies for birds of prey.

CALL them what you like, raptors, hook-bills or taloned predators, there’s no denying that birds of prey (BoP) are amongst some of the most spectacular and intelligent birds in the world. Venture out into Poole Harbour during February and you’ve got a great chance of encountering several regularly occurring BoPs that visit the harbour each winter. Finding them takes patience and often a bit of luck, but visit the right places at the right time and you can be treated to a breathtaking natural encounter.