Hobby Thread 2009 (1 Viewer)

[John Barber]

Prey Item In NI's photo

NI, I've had my large magnifying glass out trying to see better detail.

Rob, I don't think it's mammalian because I think I can see a limp wing - between the prey and the hobby ( could be wrong though )

H, if anyone can identify this, it's you !! Care to hazzard a guess ?

NI, Is it possible to blow the picture up ?

 

[halftwo]

Definately a bird. Just one of the feathers has a dark shaft - otherwise all pale. I wonder if it's a young of some kind?
Maybe we should put it on the Id Forum!

 

[username]

Noidea....just seen those juvvy shots of yours...superb...!

 

[no idea]

Noidea....just seen those juvvy shots of yours...superb...!

Thankyou everybody for all your kind comments.

Proud to be involved!!!!!!!!!!

 

[halftwo]

Aug 29th.: A Hatfull of Falcons.

I've had better chance to read all of yesterday's postings and peruse the fantastic photos. Superb NoIdea, just superb. And Rob, glad you got some good shots too.
On re-looking at the mystery photo I'm now convinced there is another Hobby almost completely hidden behind the main bird - just the belly feathers showing - it's far too big for a prey item.

I forgot to mention yesterday - four Golden plovers passing south - it seems that the seasons are moving on.

08:20 - 09:30

Cool (13c), grey clouds passing, occasional rain, occasional sun.

Quiet as I approached - there are definately fewer Swallows around now - and not just because the Hobbies keep snatching them - they're moving off to warmer climes.

I found two young on the tree, sitting quietly. And they were joined by two Kestrels - one young and an adult.

I scanned the grey horizons - and the loudest thing was the whistle of a Wood pigeon's wings as it flew over me - but way off, steaming in at a huge rate was a Peregrine going for something.
As I watched it hurtling at its prey the noise from the pluck tree summoned me. Which way to turn? The Peregrine disappeared and I switch round.

Two young were flying after the male Hobby as he cruised in with prey - one taking it from him as he continued to perch up half a mile off.

And that was about it until the farmer came through to put the female up briefly, protesting his proximity.

As I left there were Swallows swirling distantward but I failed to spot their cause of concern. But seven falcons before breakfast wasn't at all bad.

 

[John Barber]

Mystery Photo

On re-looking at the mystery photo I'm now convinced there is another Hobby almost completely hidden behind the main bird - just the belly feathers showing - it's far too big for a prey item.

H, I'm still intrigued. I'm wondering if it's all just the one hobby, with it's foot partially raised holding a small item of prey which is out of sight and we are seeing part of it's under belly feathers. It's just that the colours all tie in with same bird and NI seems certain there was only one bird present. Also, part of the mystery object slightly overlaps the hobbies wing feathers on this side of the bird, so I don't see how it could be something sat on the other side of it. I guess we'll never know for certain. Interesting all the same.

 

[sid ashton]

Mystery Photo

Just had a chance to catch up with the Hobby story after a couple of days taken up with dental stuff and a quick visit to Martin Mere for the Wilson's Phalarope - nice bird. Cracking photos guys and interesting comments all plausible but could I throw in another possibility. The photo in question is perhaps of the youngest chick. I noticed that this youngster still had downy breast feathers on Thursday - could it be these feathers blowing in the wind? Just a thought!!!

 

[John Barber]

Cracking photos guys and interesting comments all plausible but could I throw in another possibility. The photo in question is perhaps of the youngest chick. I noticed that this youngster still had downy breast feathers on Thursday - could it be these feathers blowing in the wind? Just a thought!!!

Good point ! Sounds plausible. Anyone else have a theory.

 

[joannec]

Just had a chance to catch up with the Hobby story after a couple of days taken up with dental stuff and a quick visit to Martin Mere for the Wilson's Phalarope - nice bird. Cracking photos guys and interesting comments all plausible but could I throw in another possibility. The photo in question is perhaps of the youngest chick. I noticed that this youngster still had downy breast feathers on Thursday - could it be these feathers blowing in the wind? Just a thought!!!

That's what it looks like to me too. Great pictures and comments on this thread from all concerned...........I just wish I lived closer so I could come visit this site and see these hobbies firsthand.

 

[halftwo]

That's what it looks like to me too.


Hmm, maybe, certainly looks weird if so.

.I just wish I lived closer so I could come visit this site and see these hobbies firsthand.

I'm sure Sussex has its compensations, Joanne!

Sun's shining now, I can feel another trip out coming on.

 

[joannec]

I'm sure Sussex has its compensations, Joanne!

Sussex does have it's compensations......a kingfisher through my garden just now (most unusual) and a redstart last week.

 

[halftwo]

Sussex does have it's compensations......a kingfisher through my garden just now (most unusual) and a redstart last week.

Ooh Redstart! - a long shot for my garden - but then I thought Tree pipit and Crossbill were too.


A quick look this pm. revealed one young and the male flying over with an insect which he ate himself.

 

[sid ashton]

Early Evening Walk

17.15 - 18.30 Mainly cloudy with brisk breeze

Decided on going for a stroll around the local fields/woods while keeping within a reasonable distance of the site. As we approached the rear of the site (from the East) we heard a familiar but weak Ki Ki Ki call but didn't see any of the birds. As we headed in the direction of the plucking tree there was a bit of a noisey commotion going on involving some Crows and the Hobbies with a Buzzard also calling its twopennyworth. Then 3 Hobbies rose above the tree in which they had presumably been perched to see off the Crows, behaviour we have seen before. Couldn't be sure if it was the three young as they were in silhouette. The three then returned to the tree from which they had been disturbed - interestingly this tree was a further 300 - 400m south of the plucking tree ( i.e. further away again from the nest tree) - then silence. We couldn't locate the birds in the "new" tree or, as we got within distance, the plucking tree either. As it threatened rain and became quite chilly we made our way back to the car thinking that in the very near future we shall not be passing our time with this family as they set off for warmer climes.

 

[halftwo]

Aug.30th: One Last Look

07:15 - 0830

Early chill warming under blue skies.

So, my last possible day at the Hobby site, one last look at this extraordinary family.
I moved close to the pluck tree eastwards - the low sun silhouetting the trees otherwise. Two young there side by side up in the sunlight - one male and one female judging by their shapes and relative sizes. Females, I've noticed, when perched, show a heavier belly which elongates the body shape to more of an oval; the males however show a breast bulge which slims at the belly - giving them more of a lollypop look. This of course sometimes confused when feathers are fluffed up.
So the youngsters I think are two females and one male. And soon the third chick, calling her way in, came to sit with her brother and sister.

Before long one of the adults came in with food. As she (the female I thought) approached all the young were head-bobbing, turning to face her and flew to meet her.
One of them got the prey and settled out of sight, all birds but one of the young now no longer visible.

Away to the north the needle of the radio mast on Winter Hill stabbed through the cotton of its low cloud shroud. But here in Hobby land the sun shone on.

On my way back through the farm I was fortunate to bump into the farmer. I'd told him of the photos on BF lately and was pleased to hear he'd had a look at them on the thread, even registering so he could search. And pleased to be able to thank him for "everything" - which included my parking in his yard during my crutches-phase post op., but mainly I suppose for the wildlife-friendly way he manages the land that goes a long way to giving the Hobbies a habitat they need.

So, JB, Sid, et al. it's over to you to finish this thread and keep us all in the know for the final chapter.

Thanks all for your inputs, photography, company, comments, etc.

Until next year this is Halftwo signing off!

 

[Rob Smallwood]

And the biggest thanks of all goes to you for your dedicated field work identifying the site, selfless assistance to so many in "sharing" your birds and the wonderful prose too.

All the very best from us all,

Rob

 

[joannec]

Agree completely with Rob. Thanks Richard for the great thread and your perceptive comments..........maybe one day I'll be able to tell a female hobby from a male too.

Joanne

 

[John Barber]

Best Wishes For Borneo

H,

Only just missed you this morning.

Thanks for everything, the last month or two has been a great privilege spending time with the hobbies and an expert birder like yourself.

I'll do my best to complete the final lines of the last chapter.

Bon voyage !

 

[sid ashton]

Where's my Breakfast Mum?

07:45 - 0930 Sunny to start but chilly then cloud blew in

Well guys I missed both of you - again I approached from behind the trees at probably the same time as H/2 was seeing the female pass the food. She came over my head and settled in a beech tree towards the south end of the wood. As I emerged from the wood onto the field and looked right to the plucking tree there were the two youngsters. I watched them for some time expecting another food pass but no. What I did notice from that new angle was that the breast feathers on both birds were blowing to the side giving real credance to my theory about there being only one bird in the "Mystery Photograph". So back to the present - having watched with nothing happening suddenly both of the young started calling and in came one of the adults but with no prey. One of the young went up to the adult and they engaged in some playful exchanges as the adult appeared to be trying to entice the young bird away from the tree - perhaps encouraging it to go hunting with her/him. The young one was having none of this and went back to join the sibling bird in the plucking tree. I waited around for a further 20 or so but then it started clouding over and my breakfast called. So ended another fascinating part of the Hobby story.

As with all of the others I also say a big thanks to Richard for sharing "his Hobbys", being generous with information and being a thoroughly good bloke -cheers mate.

P.S. Of course I should have said enjoy your holiday and look after that foot!!!!

 

[no idea]

Mystery Photo.

H, I'm still intrigued. I'm wondering if it's all just the one hobby, with it's foot partially raised holding a small item of prey which is out of sight and we are seeing part of it's under belly feathers. It's just that the colours all tie in with same bird and NI seems certain there was only one bird present. Also, part of the mystery object slightly overlaps the hobbies wing feathers on this side of the bird, so I don't see how it could be something sat on the other side of it. I guess we'll never know for certain. Interesting all the same.

Richard.What I`ll do is go back over all the shots of the juv with POSSIBLE prey item!I took quite a lot of the single bird,but that single twig in the foreground spoilt a lot of them.I do seem to remember an adult coming in with prey and a juv went up to meet it.

PPS. Have a great holiday and on behalf of myself and the team, Thanks a mill for allowing us into the secretive world of this elusive little falcon.

 

[no idea]

Richard.What I`ll do is go back over all the shots of the juv with POSSIBLE prey item!I took quite a lot of the single bird,but that single twig in the foreground spoilt a lot of them.I do seem to remember an adult coming in with prey and a juv went up to meet it.

PPS. Have a great holiday and on behalf of myself and the team, Thanks a mill for allowing us into the secretive world of this elusive little falcon.

Definately not prey item.Studied about 12 pictures of same, and all it is are the breast feathers and down blowing about.There was a hellish wind about at the time and previous photos back this up for me.

Sorry to disappoint but it made for some interesting assumptions!