Hobby Observations & Nesting Dates (1 Viewer)

[Jos Stratford]

Found, or rather stumbled into, two Hobby nestsites this weekend - both in pines adjacent to forest clearings (I was looking for butterflies and in both cases the adults came screaming in!). Other than this bit of abstract detail, I have nothing more to add to this excellent thread

 

[halftwo]

Thanks, Jos; were they near to each other - or two separate areas?
H

 

[Jos Stratford]

Thanks, Jos; were they near to each other

Only about 90 km

 

[halftwo]

Aug 5th: Two Well Grown Young

B

Took BFer and photographer Paul Hackett to the site this pm. - and had a cracking time watching two well-grown youngsters through his scope - being fed by the female.
It is possible that there could be some photos - or even video to add if Paul returns.
As we arrived the male was perched up - but took off immediately - though soon both birds were off over our heads to hunt together, though not before he was getting nagged noisily by the female. Edifying sight of both accelerating towards high Swifts, and going for one to narrowly miss, before they disappeared distancewards.
Took this opportunity to get a closer look at the nest - but before we got near they were both back and calling - and she came in with prey (small bird again). We returned to our previous watchpoint and saw the young being fed - lumps of feathery flesh offered to each in turn - no fuss or fighting. Full grown youngsters with lots of down still, mostly hidden by dark feathers.
Wing exercising going on - one walking around the edge of the nest. We are fairly sure there are just the two - (though it's not entirely impossible that we just couldn't see a possible third bird.)
Soon they had settled down and were invisible - while mother stood adjacent and father perched out in the open, eyeing passing warblers and tits flitting through the same tree, then preening before going off on another foray.
I would estimate the young will be fledged within a week or so - making laying and hatching at mid month as I predicted.
Oh, yes, nearly forgot:
As we arrived we saw two Tree pipits - calling and perched in a hedge! B

 

[halftwo]

After yesterday's triumph and excellent views this morning's effort was rather disappointing.
Very quiet - female near nest immobile for over an hour - then as I was walking away the male perched up nearby.
You picked your time right Paul!


PM. Lots of farming activity today (it's that time of year).
Birds keeping a low profile on perches behind the nest tree, the farmer took me round on the tractor - and we got good views of both.
With luck they won't be too disturbed as work continues over the next few days. (Weather permitting).

 

[halftwo]

Aug. 7th. Swift capture, young flapping.

Had a brilliant time early am. - joint hunting foray and spectacular Swift hunt - successful - then both back to nest area where the male ate most of the Swift before handing the remains over for the young.
They had been exercising their wings - clearly visible from 3-400 ms.

As soon as this had finished a female Peregrine took a Jackdaw nearby & the tiercel was also around.

I'm going to write a fuller account in "My Birding Day" now.

 

[halftwo]

Aug. 8th.

Quick look early am. (cold this am.)

Male came in with (small) prey item, took it to the nest tree, and away to preen nearby.
Female to nest with prey. Young keeping their heads down today.
Both later harrassing a crow v. loudly - driving it off the nest tree.

 

[halftwo]

Has anyone been watching the live Hobby webcam lately?
How are they doing?
I'm unable to view.
Thanks.
H

 

[halftwo]

Aug. 10th

After the first day without visiting, yesterday, I went outside this morning and a Hobby was hunting Swallows over my house - he was obviously wondering where I was!

Down at the site all was quiet - so I chanced a quick closer look at the nest.

The two young are now fully feathered and no hint of down; one was wing flapping and walking around the flimsy-looking and much whitened nest.
Neither took any notice of me. They both appear to be big and same sized - maybe two females? They are obviously very orangy-buff where their parents are white - notably the face.

Left them in peace - I think they'll be flying within the next few days.

 

[joannec]

Hi H

Really glad you've kept this updated and that they are doing so well. I've been away so not followed the progress.

Has anyone been watching the live Hobby webcam lately?
How are they doing?
I'm unable to view.
Thanks.
H

Just had a quick look at the webcam....the two still downy youngsters perched on the nest edge, looking well. Yours sound like they are a bit more advanced.....exciting times!!

Joanne

 

[halftwo]

Hi H


Just had a quick look at the webcam....the two still downy youngsters perched on the nest edge, looking well. Yours sound like they are a bit more advanced.....exciting times!!

Joanne

Thanks Joanne,

Indeed, it was five days ago when I last had a closer look - quite a bit of down then, so at least/around five days difference.
Considering we're 220 north of The New Forest that's surprising - or maybe mine are better parents.

Will be trying to get down there every day to see the big lift off!

H

 

[joannec]

Considering we're 220 north of The New Forest that's surprising - or maybe mine are better parents.

Will be trying to get down there every day to see the big lift off!

H

You sound like the proud uncle H.3

I just had another look at the webcam.....there is only 1 chick. Anyone know what happened to the other one. When I looked earlier today it looked like two were there, one behind the other but now I can't be so sure.

 

[pie]

Your observations of Hobby behaviour is fascinating H.
I hope to go out Thurs or Friday this week depending on the weather & put this theory to the test.
I know a few hot spots for Swifts & Martins near a river surrounded by woodland so the habitat ticks the boxes.

Out of interest, is there a "good time of day"?

ps. I can just about see one fluffy chick in the darkness Joanne, Amazing!

 

[halftwo]

Thanks, Pie.

As far as I've seen it would appear that any time of day is as good as the next.
Whenever I visit my site the activity seems the same: female staying by the nest 90% of the time; male off hunting every hour or so; joint hunting on a few occasions.
But if you're two kms. or more from a nest site it is unlikely that they will be hunting that far away, if mine are typical.

The young will be out around now and joining parents on hunts - can't tell you yet if that varies during the day, as mine are yet to fly.

H

P.S. The webcam birds hatched on July 17th.; should fledge around Aug. 16th. - can't believe they're still "fluffy" with only c.5 days to go. If two have succumbed it would appear to be a rather unsuccessful nest.
Would be grateful for further updates, anyone. Thanks.

 

[ColinD]

Great thread. I've often thought that the mosslands where I do most of my birding by bike are the most likely spot for Hobbies to breed in my area, but so far I've only had a handful of sightings, though one of them was in mid June a couple of years ago.

I guess that from what you have said, Hobbies are not amongst the most likely species you will see from a bike. Perhaps I should change my tactics next summer......

 

[halftwo]

Aug. 11th: She Kills A Magpie!

Thanks, Bobby. I don't think the mode of transport will hinder you! You know your patch well - so if they're there I think you'll find them if you search.

Spent three hours down there today.
I'm running out of superlatives to describe the behaviour of these falcons - but today I'll try to give a feel of the action again.
All quiet as usual to begin with. One of the Hobbies (female likely) was perched close by. The male sneaked in at one point and I might have missed some prey being brought: as suddenly both were there and the female going for a crow family that had dared land in the nest tree. The crows soon left.
Then, with a call I've heard before - a "let's go hunting" beseeching keening from her - and both were up, powering away upwind until hundreds of feet up.
The hunt began.
Both in bin view most of the time - keeping perhaps 50 feet apart - they circle and glide, sometimes accelerating towards Swifts that keep their distance. Then away to another part of the sky - specks in the grey.
Suddenly they're off again at speed: on a shallow slope downwind - half-closing wings and then rowing primaries until they were doing, I'm sure, 150 mph. plus. Circle again, drift downwind, now high above me; and off again to stoop at prey. I lose them behind a tree.
Ten minutes later she is perching on the perch tree, but restless and moving corvids on. Then to a perch two hundred metres from the nest, where she can watch over it.
Woodpigeons move constantly - then a Magpie flies to the nest tree. The Hobby takes off from her perch and sweeps towards the nest. The Magpie is now heading towards the falcon, which flies rapidly under it. As she draws level she spirals up towards the Magpie and a foot claws out. They pass in opposite directions - but the Magpie is dead, falls like a stone to the field, out of sight. In the blink of an eye the strike could have taken place twice; thrice. It was as if it didn't happen - that's how quick.
The Hobby appears to go down to where the Magpie had fallen - frustratingly I can't get a sight from my viewpoint. Fifteen minutes later, leisurely, she circles lazily to the perch where the attack began. Presumably she has fed on the Magpie - but did not take it to her young - perhaps too heavy to shift?
Though I wait patiently for another half hour she is still on the outlook perch, peering around her, alert, as I leave.

 

[joannec]

Fantastic account of a memorable moment!

 

[halftwo]

Thanks Joanne.
Yes, etched on the brain, and I would think a rare event too.
That Magpie didn't have a clue! Dead before it knew it was hit.

 

[ColinD]

Thanks, Bobby. I don't think the mode of transport will hinder you! You know your patch well - so if they're there I think you'll find them if you search......

I just meant that on the bike you tend to move faster than on foot, and don't spend as long looking at the skies! Maybe I need to move a bit slower, or spend longer in likely spots.

 

[halftwo]

I just meant that on the bike you tend to move faster than on foot, and don't spend as long looking at the skies!

LOL, yes, not recommended while cycling!