AN exotic bird of prey, suspected to be an escapee, has been spotted in north Cumbria.

Believed to be an adult harris hawk, it was spotted at Campfield Marsh, Bowness-on-Solway yesterday afternoon (October 18).

A photograph was shared on social media, which described the bird as being bigger than the native marsh harriers and ringed – indicating it is owned.

Harris hawks are large, reddish-brown hawks native to central and south America. It is a popular species in falconry and European records are typically all escaped captives.

Gary Swainson, who runs the Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre at Thurstonfield, said the bird does not belong to the centre, and the centre has not lost any birds.

But he said: “It is definitely a harris hawk. There are so many people keeping harris hawks, and they go missing all the time.

“They do fare quite well in the wild, which is an issue.

“It is not an uncommon occurrence for them to pop up here and there.

“If anyone manages to catch it I would take it and rehome it.”