Falconfest
I took a walk along the Dearne Valley near Cudworth, Barnsley this afternoon and stopped to see if there might be anything in the air. There was.
In fact two Hobbies were hawking amongst the Swifts above the breeze-blown branches of the birches along the ridge.
Insects were their prey, and three Kestrels joined them - until the Hobbies decided to attack their rivals: a spectacular dog fight ensued and lasted for a minute or two.
Next a hapless Buzzard was harried by both Hobby & Kestrel, tipping its wings to avoid its tormentors. Now the Hobbies were fired up & some attempts at Swifts followed, but, despite some superb flying and stunning speed, the prey eluded them.
At least three Kestrels were in the air, and all the falcons remained across the valley, so I took a wander over that way.
Of course, by then, the Hobbies had departed, though the Kestrels continued to follow the hay-making tractor.
The sun brought out butterflies, including a Ringlet, and a Small skipper, Reed warblers sang and a Green woodpecker yaffled across the river.
