We were in Norfolk over the weekend and happened onto a twitch of a Pallid Harrier.
I saw the bird, far away in the gathering gloom. It was quite plainly not a Hen Harrier; smaller, lighter flight. I asked a neighbour in the line of scopes how you eliminate Montagues. He said "because Monties shouldn't be here". I replied "well, Pallid shouldn't be here either!".
What I saw looked more like a Monty and they are a summer visitor just down the road. I remain undecided.
Pallid harrier has been there for sometime now, at least a couple of months that i know about.
True neither bird should be here now but This Pallid has turned up here out of the blue, so to speak. The Monties are regular visitors at regular times and you can be as certain as is possible that this is not a Montie.