Close Encounters Of The Hobby kind
13.30 - 15.00
Beautiful late summers afternoon. Warm, sunny, no wind. 21c
Wow ! Even though I've watched these Hobbies for the best part of three months now, I still find myself feeling ecstatic after arriving back from my best viewing session ever.
It all began rather low key, no sign of any of the birds at the usual area. So I slowly made my way around to the back of the site, through the barley field and up the brow of the hill over looking the valley with it's many fields.
Over to the far right, a host of black headed gulls were circling two hundred feet above the small local sewage works. It took me a few minutes to realise there were also two hobbies amongst them, obviously catching insects. It all seemed to be a bit of a feeding frenzy for gulls and hobbies alike.
I was too far away to identify which birds they were, but one seemed to be calling and I wondered if it was an adult with juvenile. I watched for several minutes, the hobbies seemingly oblivious of the gulls, before they eventually moved out of sight and I made my way back to the plucking tree.
On the way back I could hear several hobbies calling and I quickened my pace to hasten my arrival. Smart move !
Standing 100 yards in front of the plucking tree I was greeted with the amazing sight of both adults hawking above the trees.
If any of you birders have ever seen the film Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, you will remember the final part of the film, where the main characters come down from the mountain to watch with wide eyed incredulity as the small space ships make their first appearance - that was me watching the adults.
Both birds came within forty yards of me, effortlessly gliding on the very slight breeze, the air full of insects. The hunting display which followed was a true marvel to behold. The birds rising slightly before stretching out tallons, catching and transferring to beak in one leisurely easy movement. Probably five or six insects were being caught each minute by each bird. And all this in full view, with glorious sunshine and perfect viewing conditions. Superb.This episode lasted perhaps ten minutes before the male eased off to the south west and the female to the south east, either side of me.
As they disappeared from view I began to think how lucky I had been to witness such a display, so closely. However, just like the film, that show was just the prelude.
Unbelievably, incredibly, as the adults moved away, and as though taking a cue from the adults, the three juveniles rose above the plucking tree area and started their own brilliant display. The mother ship had arrived, and I stood dumb struck.
If that sounds a bit OTT, you have to remember we've watched these birds almost from the beginning and to be there to see the three young emulating their parents with such an emphatic display of supreme flying skills, was joyous indeed.
The sad part of this story is that NI wasn't here to capture these moments on film. I tell no lies NI when I tell you that Flying Hobby Hunting Insect photo of the year would have been a forgone conclusion for you. The birds were so close, in such perfect light and taking insects from every conceivable angle for twenty minutes - unbelivable.
If I don't see them again before they leave I could have no complaints, this very special afternoon will never be forgotten.
