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This is a rare migrant mainly found in the dry lowlands. But it can be met occasionally throughout the island. This Harrier breeds in southern parts of Eastern Europe and central Asia including Iran and winters India and Southeast Asia.
The conservation status of this species is regarded as Near Threatened (IUCN Red List).
This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.
This species, which, was regularly seen in Mannar at the turn of this century, has now become quire rare even in the wide-open spaces of the north. Other than in Mannar and Jaffna I have seen it at Udawalawa National Park, Nawadankulama, and Weerawila in the south.
In February 2018 I was fortunate enough to observe and photograph one of these raptors at Mahavilachchiya tank, which is my only sighting of this species close to Wilpattu.