sid ashton
Well-known member
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Hobby Thread 2009 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter halftwo
- Start date
John Barber
Well-known member
Ex Mystery Photo
So that's all it was - a touch of wind !
At least I'll be able to sleep tonight.
So that's all it was - a touch of wind !
At least I'll be able to sleep tonight.
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sid ashton
Well-known member
John Barber
Well-known member
No Change
09.30 - 10.30
Cloudy, miserable, breezy but quite warm ( 19c)
As I extracted myself from the car on arrival, I was greeted by that familiar call, but from an unfamiliar place.
The two adult hobbies were flying around the field where the Little Owl is sometimes to be found, right were we park the cars. Perhaps they were looking for H ? They didn't stay around too long before heading back towards the nest site.
Walking through the farm, I was struck by just how many birds are supported by this farm and the farmland enviorment around it. Flocks of sparrows, starlings, finches and swallows were everywhere, their numbers swollen by this seasons young. Numerous pied wagtail were also in evidence with their young - running about over the farm buildings and sheds catching the plentiful supply of flying insects.
Over at the site, the young hobbies were soon to be found. They are still sticking reasonably close to the plucking tree, so presumably they are still almost totally dependent on their parents for food, even though they now appear almost as proficient in flight as the adults. Presumably ( there's a lot of supposition here because this is all new to me ! ) the need to learn the art of catching their own birds must happen soon. They don't have much longer to learn before they migrate.
A few spasmodic flurries of activity then took place from time to time, mainly the youngster getting excited and showing off their flying skills, before settling back into the trees to wait for their next meal.
As I alluded to earlier, I assume the next stage will be an expansion of the youngsters horizons as they learn to hunt properly for themselves and move further away from the plucking tree area.
It will be interesting to see what develops.
09.30 - 10.30
Cloudy, miserable, breezy but quite warm ( 19c)
As I extracted myself from the car on arrival, I was greeted by that familiar call, but from an unfamiliar place.
The two adult hobbies were flying around the field where the Little Owl is sometimes to be found, right were we park the cars. Perhaps they were looking for H ? They didn't stay around too long before heading back towards the nest site.
Walking through the farm, I was struck by just how many birds are supported by this farm and the farmland enviorment around it. Flocks of sparrows, starlings, finches and swallows were everywhere, their numbers swollen by this seasons young. Numerous pied wagtail were also in evidence with their young - running about over the farm buildings and sheds catching the plentiful supply of flying insects.
Over at the site, the young hobbies were soon to be found. They are still sticking reasonably close to the plucking tree, so presumably they are still almost totally dependent on their parents for food, even though they now appear almost as proficient in flight as the adults. Presumably ( there's a lot of supposition here because this is all new to me ! ) the need to learn the art of catching their own birds must happen soon. They don't have much longer to learn before they migrate.
A few spasmodic flurries of activity then took place from time to time, mainly the youngster getting excited and showing off their flying skills, before settling back into the trees to wait for their next meal.
As I alluded to earlier, I assume the next stage will be an expansion of the youngsters horizons as they learn to hunt properly for themselves and move further away from the plucking tree area.
It will be interesting to see what develops.
ed keeble
Well-known member
It is pretty unusual for recently fledged juvenile Hobbies to take birds I think- which is why they leave the UK pretty sharpish, once the adults finally stop feeding them. See here for a more intelligent and informed discussion than I could possibly provide:
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16778675
John Barber
Well-known member
Fledgling Study
Ed, That link was extremely interesting and informative. It's also saved me hours standing out in all weathers waiting to see a juvenile catch a bird, because, by the sound of it, that's not likely to happen in the UK.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Ed, That link was extremely interesting and informative. It's also saved me hours standing out in all weathers waiting to see a juvenile catch a bird, because, by the sound of it, that's not likely to happen in the UK.
Thanks, much appreciated.
A quick hobby update from the land of the 'low-listers'..[Leicestershire]...
Today i had an all too brief a view of one of the juveniles, he dashed low at speed behind a hedgerow and did not reappear. Closer to 'the site'...all was ominously quiet....not a 'ki ki ki in earshot. I wandered around and checked 'the' tree that i thought the nest was going to be in...it wasn't! The now deserted nest...or what i presume to be 'the nest'...was in an ash maybe only 50 yards away from where i had thought...[sneaky till the last]
Summer is fading fast and the birds will soon be leaving our shores...i bid them farewell and good luck...and hope for they're safe return next spring.
Perhaps i will bump into them once more before they go...perhaps not. I look across the land....and see a storm coming...autumn is 'in the wings'...and will soon be center stage....
Today i had an all too brief a view of one of the juveniles, he dashed low at speed behind a hedgerow and did not reappear. Closer to 'the site'...all was ominously quiet....not a 'ki ki ki in earshot. I wandered around and checked 'the' tree that i thought the nest was going to be in...it wasn't! The now deserted nest...or what i presume to be 'the nest'...was in an ash maybe only 50 yards away from where i had thought...[sneaky till the last]
Summer is fading fast and the birds will soon be leaving our shores...i bid them farewell and good luck...and hope for they're safe return next spring.
Perhaps i will bump into them once more before they go...perhaps not. I look across the land....and see a storm coming...autumn is 'in the wings'...and will soon be center stage....
Attachments
John Barber
Well-known member
Chill Winds Of Autumn
19.00 - 19.45
Clear sunny evening but cold after a wet day.
Username, your great photograph perfectly captures the change in weather. Yesterday we had temperatures of 23c, this evening it's down to 13c. Autumn is spilling in from the North Atlantic.
Only spotted one youngster this evening, perched at the top of a tree enjoying the fading sun. He almost looked to be contemplating his options - is it time to leave, or do I stay a few more days ?
The weather forecast is bad for tomorrow. If the family stay, things are certainly going to get tougher. There were few insects in the air this evening.
19.00 - 19.45
Clear sunny evening but cold after a wet day.
Username, your great photograph perfectly captures the change in weather. Yesterday we had temperatures of 23c, this evening it's down to 13c. Autumn is spilling in from the North Atlantic.
Only spotted one youngster this evening, perched at the top of a tree enjoying the fading sun. He almost looked to be contemplating his options - is it time to leave, or do I stay a few more days ?
The weather forecast is bad for tomorrow. If the family stay, things are certainly going to get tougher. There were few insects in the air this evening.
John....i can never stop myself 'snapping away' at landscapes with my mobile phone...some dramatic cloudscapes at this time of year! [I leave the 'real' photography to my mate 'cameraman'.....see attached the distraction we had from hobby watching recently]...guess this bird will be on his way south soon.....
All the best....
All the best....
Attachments
John Barber
Well-known member
That's a good photograph from a mobile. My mobile is still a pre-camera model from the last century. I depend on professionals like NI to come and take our photo's !!
sid ashton
Well-known member
2nd September: A Grey Morning
07.30 - 09.30 Cloudy at first turning to a light drizzle
Arrived on site from my new parking place behind the wood and east of the site. Walking across the field toward the trees lots of Wood Pigeons up but no sight or sound of the Hobby's - through the wood and up toward the plucking tree had a brief glimpse of a single bird but it flew on through the site and that was it. JB arrived at about 08.30 saying he had seen No Idea's vehicle in the "car park" - we found him tucked away in the valley behind the plucking tree - he had also seen a single bird. As we were looking for NI we came across a cow that was in the middle of giving birth. NI photographed the new born about half an hour later. As he was setting up for the "mother and baby pic" there was the familiar Hobby call - I spotted a single bird fly towards us then there were four birds above us all in silhouette. It was then time for me to head off home leaving JB & NI to enjoy the gathering gloom. Having said that it is brightening up again now so I look forward to anything they have to add.
07.30 - 09.30 Cloudy at first turning to a light drizzle
Arrived on site from my new parking place behind the wood and east of the site. Walking across the field toward the trees lots of Wood Pigeons up but no sight or sound of the Hobby's - through the wood and up toward the plucking tree had a brief glimpse of a single bird but it flew on through the site and that was it. JB arrived at about 08.30 saying he had seen No Idea's vehicle in the "car park" - we found him tucked away in the valley behind the plucking tree - he had also seen a single bird. As we were looking for NI we came across a cow that was in the middle of giving birth. NI photographed the new born about half an hour later. As he was setting up for the "mother and baby pic" there was the familiar Hobby call - I spotted a single bird fly towards us then there were four birds above us all in silhouette. It was then time for me to head off home leaving JB & NI to enjoy the gathering gloom. Having said that it is brightening up again now so I look forward to anything they have to add.
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no idea
Well-known member
Cheshire Hobby Photos.
Paid another early morning visit to the site this morning.Initially all was quiet for the first hour with only a brief glimpse of one of the birds.As I sat quietly,John and Sid showed up.We debated the possibility that the birds were more spread out now,making them difficult to locate.However as we walked down towards the stile we had a brief fly over by two adults,two juveniles,then they were gone round the back of the trees.
No time for any quick shots of the birds but I managed one of a cow and her newborn calf,less than half hour an old with the mother tentatively cleaning it up.Sid departed then, so me and John made our way back to the gate where we rambled on about birds in general.
With John on shopping duties that left me alone again.I decided to walk around to the back of the wood to see if they had taken refuge there.The weather was overcast and drizzly as I climbed the second stile.Straight ahead was a hawthorn hedge where I thought would give me some cover.Some 100yds away a buzzard glided between the trees,this was the sign for the hobbies to reappear as they mobbed the cumbersome bird.
Gaining another 40yds I was in position to set up the tripod .The birds were giving me an impromptu flying display,as they wheeled and dived above the treetops.How I wish John and Sid were here now.
A pair of juvs landed on a prominent branch and I instantly lined the big lens on them.
The adults were away to the right, making a bee line for a party of swallows they`d seen.This was the first time I`d seen them hunt,but after a few minutes they were back over the wood!
I`d gathered what I thought was enough shots of the birds, so made my way back along the hedgerow to the stile.The farmer was down to assess the cow and calf.All seemed well,so he moved them both to another meadow, away from the rest of the herd!
Well another worthwhile trip I told myself,as I pulled away from the carpark.It didn`t start too well though as initially the birds were conspicuous by their absence.But a bit of perserverance and patience and I was rewarded again.
That may be my last trip down there for now, but next year who knows,I may be able to locate some nearer to home.If I do you`ll be the first to know!!!!!!!!!!!
Paid another early morning visit to the site this morning.Initially all was quiet for the first hour with only a brief glimpse of one of the birds.As I sat quietly,John and Sid showed up.We debated the possibility that the birds were more spread out now,making them difficult to locate.However as we walked down towards the stile we had a brief fly over by two adults,two juveniles,then they were gone round the back of the trees.
No time for any quick shots of the birds but I managed one of a cow and her newborn calf,less than half hour an old with the mother tentatively cleaning it up.Sid departed then, so me and John made our way back to the gate where we rambled on about birds in general.
With John on shopping duties that left me alone again.I decided to walk around to the back of the wood to see if they had taken refuge there.The weather was overcast and drizzly as I climbed the second stile.Straight ahead was a hawthorn hedge where I thought would give me some cover.Some 100yds away a buzzard glided between the trees,this was the sign for the hobbies to reappear as they mobbed the cumbersome bird.
Gaining another 40yds I was in position to set up the tripod .The birds were giving me an impromptu flying display,as they wheeled and dived above the treetops.How I wish John and Sid were here now.
A pair of juvs landed on a prominent branch and I instantly lined the big lens on them.
The adults were away to the right, making a bee line for a party of swallows they`d seen.This was the first time I`d seen them hunt,but after a few minutes they were back over the wood!
I`d gathered what I thought was enough shots of the birds, so made my way back along the hedgerow to the stile.The farmer was down to assess the cow and calf.All seemed well,so he moved them both to another meadow, away from the rest of the herd!
Well another worthwhile trip I told myself,as I pulled away from the carpark.It didn`t start too well though as initially the birds were conspicuous by their absence.But a bit of perserverance and patience and I was rewarded again.
That may be my last trip down there for now, but next year who knows,I may be able to locate some nearer to home.If I do you`ll be the first to know!!!!!!!!!!!
Attachments
John Barber
Well-known member
Perseverance
Well done NI. I didn't think you were going to get the shots yesterday, but you demonstrated the perseverance required to get those photo's, all credit to you.
Glad to hear the mother and calf were fine and the farmer was looking after them but the calf certainly had a wet welcome into the world, it was horrendous here last night.
Might venture out this afternoon to see if the hobbies are still hanging around, but I know what I would be doing now if I had chance to fly south - a no brainer !!
Well done NI. I didn't think you were going to get the shots yesterday, but you demonstrated the perseverance required to get those photo's, all credit to you.
Glad to hear the mother and calf were fine and the farmer was looking after them but the calf certainly had a wet welcome into the world, it was horrendous here last night.
Might venture out this afternoon to see if the hobbies are still hanging around, but I know what I would be doing now if I had chance to fly south - a no brainer !!
sid ashton
Well-known member
Nice pics NI - I first saw the birds in the area you descibed last Saturday - fairly close to those trees is a very marshy area below the canal and in previous visits I have seen lots of insects and dragon flys there - this may be the area to concentrate on in the next few days.
John Barber
Well-known member
Howling Gale
13.30 - 14.15
Very strong winds, intermittent squally showers. 16c ( not a good day for wig wearers )
The roar of the wind, and the shaking of branches made it difficult to pick up bird movement at the hobby site this afternoon.
Faint alarm calls could occasionaly be heard above the screaming wind - perhaps the youngsters hanging on to branches for dear life !
A couple of times the adults reared briefly above the trees, coming up so quickly in the strong wind, they almost appeared to have been shot from a crossbow.
It was almost impossible to hold the binoculars and so it was time to go, but the object of the exercise had been achieved, confirmation that the Cheshire hobby family are still in residence.
13.30 - 14.15
Very strong winds, intermittent squally showers. 16c ( not a good day for wig wearers )
The roar of the wind, and the shaking of branches made it difficult to pick up bird movement at the hobby site this afternoon.
Faint alarm calls could occasionaly be heard above the screaming wind - perhaps the youngsters hanging on to branches for dear life !
A couple of times the adults reared briefly above the trees, coming up so quickly in the strong wind, they almost appeared to have been shot from a crossbow.
It was almost impossible to hold the binoculars and so it was time to go, but the object of the exercise had been achieved, confirmation that the Cheshire hobby family are still in residence.
sid ashton
Well-known member
Howling Gale part 2
16.30 - 18.00
John I'll bet my howling gale was better than your howling gale and some. It was actually quite pleasant as I set off over the field toward the rear of the wood. Adult and juv Hobby overhead at once. Then thro' the wood one juv perched on the plucking tree so far so good. Then the heavens opened and it rained and it rained for about half an hour and there is no shelter out there from rain that heavy. But when the rain stopped had lots of activity with a food pass - all three juv up and one of the adults seeing off a Sparrowhawk. Then quite again so it was time to head back toward the car. On the field behind the wood again after some calling the three juvs gave a good flying display before they moved over to start circling over the local sewage works where they appeared to be taking insects - good news but one very damp Hobby watcher.
16.30 - 18.00
John I'll bet my howling gale was better than your howling gale and some. It was actually quite pleasant as I set off over the field toward the rear of the wood. Adult and juv Hobby overhead at once. Then thro' the wood one juv perched on the plucking tree so far so good. Then the heavens opened and it rained and it rained for about half an hour and there is no shelter out there from rain that heavy. But when the rain stopped had lots of activity with a food pass - all three juv up and one of the adults seeing off a Sparrowhawk. Then quite again so it was time to head back toward the car. On the field behind the wood again after some calling the three juvs gave a good flying display before they moved over to start circling over the local sewage works where they appeared to be taking insects - good news but one very damp Hobby watcher.
sid ashton
Well-known member
5th September: Something New
07.40 - 09.30 Sunny to start clouding over, light breeze.
Arrived at the rear of the wood and decided on an anticlockwise walk that would take me behind the usual perching tree. I was soon greeted by two of the young circling above me. These two then appeared to go down very low and settle in the recently ploughed barley field behind the nest tree about 200m ahead of me. I approached with care but with my scope was able to see two of the birds sitting up on the ploughed earth and apparently feeding. I have seen Kestrels eating worms but was not aware of Hobbys doing the same. Anyone else ever heard of this? Eventually the local Buzzard flew over and all three of the young rose from the field and headed back toward the plucking tree where they were sitting together as it came into my view - young male between his two sisters? The female then put in an appearance - and two of the young went up to her - I was however unable to see if a food pass took place. The third juv was still sitting in the plucking tree as I left.
So I had seen 4 of the Hobby Family - good news but of slight concern was the absence of the Male - last seen on Thursday chasing and being chased by a female Sparrowhawk - hope she didn't win the battle.
07.40 - 09.30 Sunny to start clouding over, light breeze.
Arrived at the rear of the wood and decided on an anticlockwise walk that would take me behind the usual perching tree. I was soon greeted by two of the young circling above me. These two then appeared to go down very low and settle in the recently ploughed barley field behind the nest tree about 200m ahead of me. I approached with care but with my scope was able to see two of the birds sitting up on the ploughed earth and apparently feeding. I have seen Kestrels eating worms but was not aware of Hobbys doing the same. Anyone else ever heard of this? Eventually the local Buzzard flew over and all three of the young rose from the field and headed back toward the plucking tree where they were sitting together as it came into my view - young male between his two sisters? The female then put in an appearance - and two of the young went up to her - I was however unable to see if a food pass took place. The third juv was still sitting in the plucking tree as I left.
So I had seen 4 of the Hobby Family - good news but of slight concern was the absence of the Male - last seen on Thursday chasing and being chased by a female Sparrowhawk - hope she didn't win the battle.
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Sid........i have observed young hobbies feeding in ploughed fields before....[years ago mind...i'd have to dig out my old note books to find out exactly 'when']. Very opportunistic 'feeders' the juveniles i think....seem to try eating anything!
ps....don't know exactly what prey 'my' juvs were feeding on in field all them years back...it may be in my notes somewhere...!
ps....don't know exactly what prey 'my' juvs were feeding on in field all them years back...it may be in my notes somewhere...!
