THE NORTHERN HARRIER IS SEEN QUITE FREQUENTLY IN COLORADO, HAVING BEEN SPOTTED QUITE OFTEN NEAR THIS CACHE. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE MARSH HAWK, AND IS A HUNTER OF SMALL TO MEDIUM MAMMALS. THEIR FLIGHT IS BEAUTIFUL AND GRACEFUL, ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE OUT OF CONTROL AS THEY TILT BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT WARNING. THEY ARE THE ONLY HAWK-SIZED BIRD OF PREY THAT HAS A DISTINCTIVE WHITE BAND AT THE BASE OF THEIR TAIL, AND EASY FEATURE TO SPOT. THEY HAVE AN OWL-LIKE FACE WHICH CONFUSES MANY WHO FIRST SEE T HEM. THEY ARE SHY AROUND HUMANS AND WILL PROMPTLY LEAVE THE AREA WHEN SPOTTED.
YOU OFTEN SEE A HARRIER CRUISING THESE FIELDS AT ABOUT 10 FEET OFF THE GROUND. I PLACED THIS CACHE HERE BECAUSE OF THAT.
I HAVE HANDLED A NON-RELEASABLE HARRIER WHICH WAS INJURED WHEN HIT BY A CAR. THEY ARE VERY BEAUTIFUL BIRDS!