Coming back from the shops (again) (1 Viewer)

Hi folks,

Of course most journeys back from the shops are relatively uneventful, even using the country lane routes, but every now and again......

I've been trying for a while now to get a decent shot of a Kestrel hovering. A few years ago that wouldn't have been all that difficult around here but in recent years we seem to have 'lost' most of our Kestrels (and replaced them with Buzzards). So having seen one several times in the same area I've been making that one of my 'detours'. Back end of last week I saw it again but it drifted off and I turned off the main road and tried to follow it. Lost it and turned down another Lane to look and there in a field were these two!

I think that one of them is a partial Melanistic (either that or a cross between 'Common' and the 'Dark' birds that the local shooters have been importing from France). The other one is a definite escape but what a suprise to see poncing about in a field! The Silver appeared to be trying to chase the other one off, without ever getting very close, and after a little while gave up and went through a hedge.

Now I must be honest, I knew that there was a Silver around that general area, indeed I'd seen him twice before, once crossing the road (in traffic), and once in a garden, but both of those were about a 1/4 mile away from this sighting, so he gets around a bit. Still, it's an interesting thing to see and this time I got a long and proper look at him (and photos). As I've already seen Common, Lady A, Golden, and Reeves in the wild (plus the 'funny' ones that the shooters bring in) I've pretty well got a full set. Of course I can't 'tick' this one.

Bill.

Hi Bill,
No you can't tick him but we can all admire him he's a beauty isn't he?
Good shots too,well spotted, :t:
Best wishes,

Oh what lovely birds Bill. They remind me of my childhood when an old man(must have been at least 35)had an aviary with all kinds of birds including silvers,golds and lady amhersts.I couldn't stay away from it.Boootifull.
Will you get me a brown loaf next time you go to the shops?

nostalgic maurice

Hi bill,
nice pics, and birds there, the only phesants i see are usually dead, shame really.

Hi Anthony,

Yes, I'm afraid that's how most people see them. A shame when this is what they look like in all their finery.

Maurice, Sliced?

Cheers Bill