ONE OF THE UK's rarest birds made a stellar appearance at Christchurch Harbour this week, attracting scores of watchers to the wildlife sight.

The female Hen Harrier - nicknamed Ringtail because of her distinctive markings - was thought to be stopping off to feed while en-route to another part of the UK.

She was seen by Ali Germain of Christchurch Harbour's Ornithological Group who was alerted by images on Facebook.

"It's the time of year they move and initially they thought it was a Marsh Harrier which are slightly more common," she said. "Then, when we looked at the image more closely, we realised what she was!"

Hen Harriers are smaller than buzzards and the females have a distinctive white ring around their tail. Males can appear white, with black wing-tips, and both perform what is known to some as a 'Skydance' - incredible feats of aerobatics.

Ali, who is part of a Hen Harrier survey, said it was many years since the area had seen a Hen Harrier, and believes this one may have come from Eastern Europe or Scandinavia. "I think it was probably just feeding here and not even roosting but we can hope," she said.

Group chairman Chris Capelo said Hen Harriers were subject to persecution and while the bird would be admired by watchers in Christchurch, it would probably move on for the winter.

"We generally have a very small number that winter around Poole Harbour or the New Forest but they don't breed locally," he said.