Eleanora's falcon (2 Viewers)

[birdbrain999]

Hi all I'm new to this forum.
I'm on holiday in Amoudara Crete and saw last night what I can only describe as a group of about 8 falcons hawking high above the hotel.
Reminded me of peregrine but something not right however reasonably large falcons similar size to male peregrine.
The whole movement was different to peregrine as well. Looked different in size to Hobby as bulkier as described.
Long wings long tail. Quite high so can't comment on marks or colour everything looks dark that high up.
So question please about Eleanora's falcon.
Without bins can't decide myself nor would expect a diagnosis based on what I've posted however is this how they behave and has anyone seen them in a group like this before over habitation?
We are right on coast opposite the island of Dia.
Any thoughts?
Cheers Nick

 

[lou salomon]

hi Nick, yes, that sounds very much like you have seen Eleonora Falcons - I've seen them on Crete last year quite close to your location and a group of 8 is also a strong indication towards this species (which is among the most common falcons seen on Crete).

 

[birdbrain999]

hi Nick, yes, that sounds very much like you have seen Eleonora Falcons - I've seen them on Crete last year quite close to your location and a group of 8 is also a strong indication towards this species (which is among the most common falcons seen on Crete).

Hi thanks for that. I should have brought my bins with me !
Never seen a group of falcons like it closest I've seen is young peregrine together in up to 4 with maybe the odd parent bird also.
I just wast sure about the location as literature points to secluded inlets and the like hence my question.
I'll see if they appear again today as I'd probably be able to video from the phone typically yesterday we had been to spinalonga and I'd used battery up on pics.
Thanks again.

 

[Richard Prior]

Hi thanks for that. I should have brought my bins with me !
Never seen a group of falcons like it closest I've seen is young peregrine together in up to 4 with maybe the odd parent bird also.
I just wast sure about the location as literature points to secluded inlets and the like hence my question.
I'll see if they appear again today as I'd probably be able to video from the phone typically yesterday we had been to spinalonga and I'd used battery up on pics.
Thanks again.

Welcome to Birdforum Nick! Your experience reminds me of my first ever Eleonora’s Falcon sighting, way back in 1980, a group of over 20 hawking for insects over apartment and hotels on Majorca- unforgettable !

 

[birdbrain999]

Welcome to Birdforum Nick! Your experience reminds me of my first ever Eleonora’s Falcon sighting, way back in 1980, a group of over 20 hawking for insects over apartment and hotels on Majorca- unforgettable !

Wow 20 that must have been impressive.
Whole new experience for me with falcons. Kites I'm now used to seeing any number together or even buzzards occasionally but never falcons.
Wonder what the record group size would be ?!

 

[Andy Adcock]

I live in Cyprus and see this often, they hunt bats and are often active until it's too dark to see them.

 

[Richard Prior]

Wow 20 that must have been impressive.
Whole new experience for me with falcons. Kites I'm now used to seeing any number together or even buzzards occasionally but never falcons.
Wonder what the record group size would be ?!

I counted 28 on one occasion but the Mallorca regulars on Birdforum will surely have topped that!

 

[birdbrain999]

Wow!

 

[birdbrain999]

I counted 28 on one occasion but the Mallorca regulars on Birdforum will surely have topped that!

Wow!

 

[fdokykcu]

I counted 28 on one occasion but the Mallorca regulars on Birdforum will surely have topped that!

Also when they gather during June-July at some areas in Central Spain prior to moving to their reproductive grounds in the coast and islands in the Mediterranean you can see over 20, sometimes over 30 hunting together for insects at sunset. Quite a show!

 

[birdbrain999]

Also when they gather during June-July at some areas in Central Spain prior to moving to their reproductive grounds in the coast and islands in the Mediterranean you can see over 20, sometimes over 30 hunting together for insects at sunset. Quite a show!

Thanks for the information!
From what I've seen in my brief encounter they certainly seem to have the entertainment factor!
I've often watched a Hobby hunting in the UK 2 or 3 at a time so to see that many Eleanor must be amazing!

 

[Southern Viking]

Thanks for the information!
From what I've seen in my brief encounter they certainly seem to have the entertainment factor!
I've often watched a Hobby hunting in the UK 2 or 3 at a time so to see that many Eleanor must be amazing!

There are certainly Hobby gatherings at some locations in the UK at least equal to that. Quite a few locations, but Stodmarsh for example.

 

[will562]

Hi, I’m off to Cyprus today so I thought I’d have a little look as to what I may see on my hols. Found this thread and it reminded me of when I was in Crete a few years back and at sunset several nights I watched Falcons catching insects in large groups. Sorry about the terrible quality but it was 2017 and on a rubbish phone camera. At the time I didn’t know what they were and I still don’t really, but had suspected they were Eleanora’s. At the time I’m sure there were maybe 40 or more, hard to see in the video though as it’s so rubbish.

Here’s the video anyway

 

[Andy Adcock]

Hi, I’m off to Cyprus today so I thought I’d have a little look as to what I may see on my hols. Found this thread and it reminded me of when I was in Crete a few years back and at sunset several nights I watched Falcons catching insects in large groups. Sorry about the terrible quality but it was 2017 and on a rubbish phone camera. At the time I didn’t know what they were and I still don’t really, but had suspected they were Eleanora’s. At the time I’m sure there were maybe 40 or more, hard to see in the video though as it’s so rubbish.

Here’s the video anyway

It's pretty dead at the moment until we start getting return passage. All the hirundines have gone.

 

[halftwo]

I saw 50+ at Mount Olympus, back in '85.

 

[Patudo]

Hi all - out of pure curiosity - does this species (during the months it visits the Med) hunt birds/bats much outside the period when they are raising young?

 

[fdokykcu]

Hi all - out of pure curiosity - does this species (during the months it visits the Med) hunt birds/bats much outside the period when they are raising young?

As for my location (Cuenca, Central Spain, a pre-reproductive area), I've been watching them for several years with a lot of hunting observations, and never seen them to attempt birds, even when the potential prey was at close quarters. They seem to feed mainly on big flying beetles (Melolonthidae). Every medium sized falcon that have tried to catch a bird (or a bat) ended being a Hobby when checked in detail