Harriers in the hay field!
Harriers in the hay field!

Harriers in the hay field!

We discovered a Harrier nest in one of the hay fields during first cutting.

We left a large area of hay standing around it.  Harriers are excellent at catching rodents in the fields!

Harriers are the only raptor (bird of prey) other than owls who have a facial disk of feathers to help them hear their prey when they are hunting.

We photographed the nest from when we found it through today when I took pictures of the fledged young.  The parents did a fantastic job raising six chicks to fledgling age.  They must be catching an abundance of rodents in our hay fields!