wolfbirder
Well-known member
yesterday according to Birdguides.
In Somerset somewhere.
Wow ! Must be some sight! 8-P
In Somerset somewhere.
Wow ! Must be some sight! 8-P
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70 Hobby's at Shapwick Heath NR !! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter wolfbirder
- Start date
wolfbirder
Well-known member
That would be something to see. I dont remember or never heard of hobbies gathering in such numbers say 10 or 15 years ago. Is their behaviour changing for some reason or is it just a large increase in hobby numbers in uk. Do they behave in the same manner in other European countries on the return from Afrca and are they adults who will disperse to their breeding territories or mostly non breeding subs? Just thinking out loud
John Cantelo
Well-known member
I had 36 in the Stour Valley (Kent) a few days back. Over the last few years (6/7 at least) there have regularly been up to 40-50 birds present in early May (and once c70) in the area. They are best seen (albeit distantly) over Collard's lake along the ridge as you approach Stodmarsh village. They seem to feed exclusively on small insects and have never taken much notice of hirundines. They are indeed a tremendous sight and the frisson that you might just find a Red-foot amongst them only adds to the excitement,
Andrew Rowlands
Well-known member
Hi Andrew,
70 is a good number, Hobbies have been on the increase in Britain for some decades now, I think.
These are most likely adult birds/pairs, just visiting the feeding area from their soon-to-be nesting sites, maybe an hour or more flying time away. The adult birds often leave their breeding areas on high level flights together for a couple of hours or more this early in the season. There will be younger birds amongst them, their numbers will increase as they are a little later arriving back here.
Regards,
Andy.
Farnboro John
Well-known member
Personally I think these really big gatherings are, as John suggests, pre-breeding gatherings when birds have just arrived from Africa. Later in the summer there will still be some Hobbies at Shapwick and Stodmarsh but not in the early May numbers. Good places to look for Red-foots at this time of year as well I suspect!
John
John
It is indeed - and a cracking site. A few years ago I had a "Mediterranean moment" there. Little egrets, hobbies, great white egret, purple heron, osprey, cetti's warbler, all to a deafening chorus of marsh/pool frogs.
Almost certainly does. One or two pairs seen at Slimbridge throughout the summer.
