Marshes, fields, prairies. Found in many kinds of open terrain, both wet and dry habitats, where there is good ground cover. Often found in marshes, especially in nesting season, but sometimes will nest in dry open fields.

Do hen harriers nest on the ground?

As a ground-nesting bird of open scrubby habitats, hen harriers nest almost exclusively on upland heather moorland in the UK. In winter, they usually migrate to lowland and coastal areas, although some hardy individuals remain in the uplands throughout the winter.

Where do harriers nest?

Nesting. Breeding habitat may include open wetlands, wet meadows, pastures, old fields, freshwater and brackish marshes, grasslands, agricultural fields, shrublands and riparian corridors (MacWhirter and Bildstein 1996). Depending on the location, harriers will nest in either dry or wetland sites.