sid ashton
Well-known member
Truly an amazing morning watching these super birds in the nest, on the wing, hunting, defending territory and feeding young - fantastic - and all in the good company of the man with the M&S bag on his foot!!!!!
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Hobby Thread 2009 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter halftwo
- Start date
halftwo
Wird Batcher
sid ashton
Well-known member
Always have had a bit of a problem with plastic bag ID !!!!!John Lewis bag, Sid, John Lewis (they're sponsoring me!)
Cristian Mihai
Cristian Mihai
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Amazing, Cristian - I'm sure this just wouldn't happen in the UK. They really avoid roads here. Again you managed to get very close to photo them - they wouldn't allow that here either.
halftwo
Wird Batcher
July 24th: Female Catches Swift!
10:15 - 12:15
Mainly overcast, heavy rain close elsewhere.
Just after I got there a juvenile (possibly female) Peregrine circled over my head and away north before it began to hunt: disappearing before it made contact with prey.
Just as it had gone JB joined me! If he was disappointed the morning was about to make it up to him in spectacular fashion.
The female Hobby was on the nest looking out and after a while she was off, with a few quiet calls reaching us. For several minutes neither were in sight - but two little white chicks could be seen bobbing in the nest.
Then she was back.
She ripped up the prey and fed the chicks for fifteen minutes - their larger size now apparent. Just two could be seen - I think JB's right: two it is.
Then she flew off and vanished again, but soon the male took up station at the nest edge and stood guard for ages. We hadn't seen her so assumed she was perched up - we were wrong. Eventually he settled on the nest.
After some time we decided the show was over for a while - but just then I saw Swifts heading south, fast over our heads. The female Hobby was on their tails. As we watched the most fantastic display of hunting prowess unfolded over our awestruck heads.
High up now - with Swifts swarming all around - as usual trying to keep above her - she showed some speedy lines and switches of direction, eventually seeming to 'lock on' to one unfortunate Swift.
Then the hunt really began. With stunning - literally breath-taking - arcs at incredible speeds she, again and again, closed the gap on the Swift as if it was standing still - but each time it dodged with a tight loop to evade.
Once, as she arced away, it tried to get above her - visibly gaining height - she went after it in a show of power and caught up.
The Swift switched tactic and tried for a dive - I thought it must now be doomed - she stooped like lightning - but it dodged just inches from the falcon. Twice more she tried in similar fashion - but the Swift just kept out of her grasp, and rose again. The Hobby was high and straight up when we both lost her. For a few minutes.
A little time went by. The sky seemed empty - cleared of prey. Big slate back-blue clouds to the east filled that half of the sky. But John found a group of Swallows and Swifts high to the south. Suddenly the alarms reached us, and the Swifts grouped and went over us the other way - really moving.
Into the sun sliced the Hobby, at speed. She turned, accelerated and went for an isolated Swift. It dodged, but she swerved with it - still with the advantage of height. The Swift dived in an arc - and she followed. A looping dive took predator and prey, in a blur, down, then bottoming out, back towards the sun. But this time the falcon had the geometry just right and the two arcs met like a trap snapping shut and two scythes became one.
Her momentum took her and the captured Swift vertically for a while - then she turned for home and carried it - stil high - towards the trees.
Having got near she stooped at fantastic speed like a stone - and landed out of sight.
The Swift was hers - and after some time we concluded she must have eaten the lot - her mate still waiting with the young.
And that concludes one of the best interludes ever.
10:15 - 12:15
Mainly overcast, heavy rain close elsewhere.
Just after I got there a juvenile (possibly female) Peregrine circled over my head and away north before it began to hunt: disappearing before it made contact with prey.
Just as it had gone JB joined me! If he was disappointed the morning was about to make it up to him in spectacular fashion.
The female Hobby was on the nest looking out and after a while she was off, with a few quiet calls reaching us. For several minutes neither were in sight - but two little white chicks could be seen bobbing in the nest.
Then she was back.
She ripped up the prey and fed the chicks for fifteen minutes - their larger size now apparent. Just two could be seen - I think JB's right: two it is.
Then she flew off and vanished again, but soon the male took up station at the nest edge and stood guard for ages. We hadn't seen her so assumed she was perched up - we were wrong. Eventually he settled on the nest.
After some time we decided the show was over for a while - but just then I saw Swifts heading south, fast over our heads. The female Hobby was on their tails. As we watched the most fantastic display of hunting prowess unfolded over our awestruck heads.
High up now - with Swifts swarming all around - as usual trying to keep above her - she showed some speedy lines and switches of direction, eventually seeming to 'lock on' to one unfortunate Swift.
Then the hunt really began. With stunning - literally breath-taking - arcs at incredible speeds she, again and again, closed the gap on the Swift as if it was standing still - but each time it dodged with a tight loop to evade.
Once, as she arced away, it tried to get above her - visibly gaining height - she went after it in a show of power and caught up.
The Swift switched tactic and tried for a dive - I thought it must now be doomed - she stooped like lightning - but it dodged just inches from the falcon. Twice more she tried in similar fashion - but the Swift just kept out of her grasp, and rose again. The Hobby was high and straight up when we both lost her. For a few minutes.
A little time went by. The sky seemed empty - cleared of prey. Big slate back-blue clouds to the east filled that half of the sky. But John found a group of Swallows and Swifts high to the south. Suddenly the alarms reached us, and the Swifts grouped and went over us the other way - really moving.
Into the sun sliced the Hobby, at speed. She turned, accelerated and went for an isolated Swift. It dodged, but she swerved with it - still with the advantage of height. The Swift dived in an arc - and she followed. A looping dive took predator and prey, in a blur, down, then bottoming out, back towards the sun. But this time the falcon had the geometry just right and the two arcs met like a trap snapping shut and two scythes became one.
Her momentum took her and the captured Swift vertically for a while - then she turned for home and carried it - stil high - towards the trees.
Having got near she stooped at fantastic speed like a stone - and landed out of sight.
The Swift was hers - and after some time we concluded she must have eaten the lot - her mate still waiting with the young.
And that concludes one of the best interludes ever.
joannec
Well-known member
Excellent stuff H. No hobbies for me this week but I had my thrill of hunting peregrines yesterday......watched male and female hunting together. The male caught a sandwich tern, I think, and did the ariel pass to the female, kinda upsidedown! Really thrilling to watch. They then landed on an island, she to eat first, feathers floating away as she plucked it. She ate for awhile with him standing beside her; then they ate together. Their four chicks fledged and not around yesterday that I could see. Nice.
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John Barber
Well-known member
H, That was a good session and a great report - I've even sent a copy to my wife !
Joanne, I would loved to have see the peregrines catching the sandwich tern ( not that I like to see birds caught and killed ) - it's Hobby / Swift on a larger scale !
Joanne, I would loved to have see the peregrines catching the sandwich tern ( not that I like to see birds caught and killed ) - it's Hobby / Swift on a larger scale !
halftwo
Wird Batcher
I do! If it's by other birds of course.
"My" youngster seemed independent this morning, Joanne - hope it survives. Would be nice to have it around in winter.
I've been watching the new forest hobby a bit and today noticed her (?) making some not too quiet, not too loud calls while on the nest. (It's hard to judge how loud the calls are.) Considering how secretive they seem to be I was wondering what the purpose of that was. She could be talking to the chick (??) or to her mate or an intruder (but would think that a warning would be louder).
Do you hear anything when a parent is on the nest?
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Hi Gretchen,
Yes I do.
It's never possible to tell which one makes the call (though I suspect the female) but every time the male comes in with food the cries go out.
It seems that sometimes there are fewer, quieter calls - whether this is when the female & chicks aren't so hungry I can't say - but today she obvious was hungry - as she went hunting straight after - yet was quiet.
She also makes a lot of noise when a Crow or Buzzard etc. gets too close to the nest - though usually gets off to give chase then.
There could well be noises too quiet to hear from 250 metres too.
As the young get older their voices join the female's to beg for food - then it can be really noisy.
Presumably that egg is still there?
Yes I do.
It's never possible to tell which one makes the call (though I suspect the female) but every time the male comes in with food the cries go out.
It seems that sometimes there are fewer, quieter calls - whether this is when the female & chicks aren't so hungry I can't say - but today she obvious was hungry - as she went hunting straight after - yet was quiet.
She also makes a lot of noise when a Crow or Buzzard etc. gets too close to the nest - though usually gets off to give chase then.
There could well be noises too quiet to hear from 250 metres too.
As the young get older their voices join the female's to beg for food - then it can be really noisy.
Presumably that egg is still there?
joannec
Well-known member
It was the last time I saw Mrs off the nest, pushed down and ignored.
sid ashton
Well-known member
July 24th: All is quiet in the evening sun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17:15 - 18:40
Sunny and windy.
Upon arrival the female was on the nest but no sign of the male - after a short while she was up and off leaving two little white fluffy heads peering around - and that was that. The chicks settled down and the adults did not return. For most of the time I was in the field there were only a few Swallows, Starling and Sparrows flying around - no sign of any Swifts. The Hobbys had obviously set off elsewhere looking for supper which is what I did as hunger had set in. Tomorrow is another day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17:15 - 18:40
Sunny and windy.
Upon arrival the female was on the nest but no sign of the male - after a short while she was up and off leaving two little white fluffy heads peering around - and that was that. The chicks settled down and the adults did not return. For most of the time I was in the field there were only a few Swallows, Starling and Sparrows flying around - no sign of any Swifts. The Hobbys had obviously set off elsewhere looking for supper which is what I did as hunger had set in. Tomorrow is another day.
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John Barber
Well-known member
Post Sid
Arrived at the farm at 18.45 to see a gentleman with a telescope and a lady heading towards the lane from the public footpath - would that have been you and your wife Sid ?
As I'm not expecting to be able vist the site over the next day or two, I thought I'd take one last look - encouraged after this morning's exhilarating experience, and lovely evening sunshine.
Positioning the scope at 18.57 I looked up to get my bearings on the nest site only to be astonished to see a ' stealth fighter ' heading at low level in my direction. No, obviously not a stealth fighter, just something far longer in development - a falcon. Judging by the size, this looked like the female. She slowed down as she passed over me, almost slowing to a stop - seeming to look at me and possibly thinking - not you again ! She headed to the South East and was soon lost against the bright sky.
I turned my attention to the nest for the first time and immediately noticed that neither bird was on the nest. Unlike this morning the male was nowhere to be seen while the female was off hunting.
I learnt a lot this morning observing the birds with H. One of the most important lessons is the need to constantly observe all of the sky, in all directions, all of the time, looking for tell tale signs of a predator. Four people standing together, pointing in four different directions would be very useful in this endeavour !! It's hard on your own.
Of course I failed miserably to spot the female coming back. Exactly 52 minutes after leaving the nest a short call signified her return - and I was looking in the opposite direction. Back to the scope and there she was, ripping large chunks of vivid red flesh off another hapless victim, greedily devoured by her voracious youngsters. Youngsters which this evening looked greyer and less white than yesterday.
And that was it. Another magic trick from these enigmatic falcons.
Arrived at the farm at 18.45 to see a gentleman with a telescope and a lady heading towards the lane from the public footpath - would that have been you and your wife Sid ?
As I'm not expecting to be able vist the site over the next day or two, I thought I'd take one last look - encouraged after this morning's exhilarating experience, and lovely evening sunshine.
Positioning the scope at 18.57 I looked up to get my bearings on the nest site only to be astonished to see a ' stealth fighter ' heading at low level in my direction. No, obviously not a stealth fighter, just something far longer in development - a falcon. Judging by the size, this looked like the female. She slowed down as she passed over me, almost slowing to a stop - seeming to look at me and possibly thinking - not you again ! She headed to the South East and was soon lost against the bright sky.
I turned my attention to the nest for the first time and immediately noticed that neither bird was on the nest. Unlike this morning the male was nowhere to be seen while the female was off hunting.
I learnt a lot this morning observing the birds with H. One of the most important lessons is the need to constantly observe all of the sky, in all directions, all of the time, looking for tell tale signs of a predator. Four people standing together, pointing in four different directions would be very useful in this endeavour !! It's hard on your own.
Of course I failed miserably to spot the female coming back. Exactly 52 minutes after leaving the nest a short call signified her return - and I was looking in the opposite direction. Back to the scope and there she was, ripping large chunks of vivid red flesh off another hapless victim, greedily devoured by her voracious youngsters. Youngsters which this evening looked greyer and less white than yesterday.
And that was it. Another magic trick from these enigmatic falcons.
bitterntwisted
Graham Howard Shortt
Loving this year's thread again, H. Hobbies are my favourite bird, and now on the garden list!.. http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=1538344&postcount=32
Graham
Graham
sid ashton
Well-known member
That certainly was about the time we left John pity you didn't give us a shout but I'm sure that we'll meet up soon.
Sid
John Barber
Well-known member
Interesting Stat ?
I was just musing about the number of Swifts, Swallows and Martins our Hobbies take over the course of a summer.
An estimate of perhaps 10 birds a day for each pair may be plausable ( ? )
Hobbies are in the UK for around five months - approx. mid April to mid September - that's about 150 days.
According to the RSPB there are approximately 2,200 pairs.
If you do the maths 10 X 150 X 2,200 - that comes to three million, three hundred thousand birds !
Anyone have a view on that ?
I was just musing about the number of Swifts, Swallows and Martins our Hobbies take over the course of a summer.
An estimate of perhaps 10 birds a day for each pair may be plausable ( ? )
Hobbies are in the UK for around five months - approx. mid April to mid September - that's about 150 days.
According to the RSPB there are approximately 2,200 pairs.
If you do the maths 10 X 150 X 2,200 - that comes to three million, three hundred thousand birds !
Anyone have a view on that ?
