At Carsebreck on Monday, we saw something unusual. A Red Kite was swooping down at something that was just over the brow of the hill. On the first pass, it was flown at by an Oystercatcher, which it took no notice of. The second pass made another Oystercatcher rise up flapping in alarm before settling down again. On the third pass, this Oystercatcher was driven away and the Red Kite descended onto the place she(?) had been occupying. We didn't see what happened then, but I can imagine. I felt sorry for the Oystercatchers, but was also thrilled by the power and beauty of the Kite.
It was a day for raptors. We also saw a couple of Buzzards and a Kestrel on a wire that was there on the way in and on the way out. There were Reed Buntings all over. When I first added one of these birds to my year list (on April 27) I had to look up my book to identify it, but since then I've been seeing them everywhere I go. I also got a couple of new birds for my list: Red-legged Partridge and Sedge Warbler.
We cut it short because my wife was still recuperating from a cold (it'll be flu when I get it) and repaired to the Rapha Centre for coffee and a date slice.
Michael.
It was a day for raptors. We also saw a couple of Buzzards and a Kestrel on a wire that was there on the way in and on the way out. There were Reed Buntings all over. When I first added one of these birds to my year list (on April 27) I had to look up my book to identify it, but since then I've been seeing them everywhere I go. I also got a couple of new birds for my list: Red-legged Partridge and Sedge Warbler.
We cut it short because my wife was still recuperating from a cold (it'll be flu when I get it) and repaired to the Rapha Centre for coffee and a date slice.
Michael.