Hobby Thread 2009 (1 Viewer)

[username]

Ah, that's where the poetic bits come from, U!
Gotta say it's a great & original book.
His 'Hill of Summer' is good too.

'That' book was practically my 'bible' H2...! Every time i read chapters from it i am in total 'awe'! Long ago i used to try and emulate J.A. Bakers style...but i gave up as i knew i wasn't 'worthy'! I suppose my artistic/experimentive nature shows through in my various 'postings'....[not always to everyone's 'taste' however...especially my more 'over-the-top' one's]..!!

Perhaps in my next post i will 'attempt' more poetic prose.....[or i might just stick to my 'usual' style...if i dare to call it a 'style']... Any 'writing' should reflect the nature of oneself......[what am i like]?:eek!:

ps...i wonder where your hobbies are now.....?

 

[username]

Despite the glorious sunshine that flooded the fields of 'hobby dreams', there seemed to be an almost melancholy air overhead today, which was only emphasized by the mournful cries of soaring buzzards nearby. Was this to be..'the' day?
It certainly had that feel about it as after half an hours waiting, the 'shooters oak tree' was still unadorned by young hobbies!
I scanned all horizons from my favoured stubble field, the grassy edges still glinting with droplets of dew.....but no hobbies could i see.
I began to feel an uncomfortable emptiness, which i knew, obviously, was always going to happen very soon...but today?! I'd even carried my scope along, something i rarely do...and something that i was now beginning to regret as it seemed to be having an adverse effect on any potential observations!

I stood resigned and began to walk away...and then don't you just know it? 'Sneaky' as ever...there sat one of the youngsters, perched on the currently 'in vogue' oak branch! I had to smile
He, or she, was soon joined by a second juvenile who had too, obviously, been out and about enjoying the warming days airwaves, high above my head in all probability! This invisible umbilical cord that holds the birds here is being stretched ever more i feel, soon it will be 'time'!
I eventually located the complete 'trio' of 'reluctant leavers' but never all on the same perch at one time. And speaking of 'time', mine was rapidly running out...and hard as it was, i made to leave...yet again...pondering if the adult had now gone.

It hadn't!

Now, i don't know what it is exactly about 'me leaving' and these birds 'then appearing'...but from the west he dashed, as the begging cries went up in a very familiar manner! The adult male carried with him a small prey item in his bill, which one of the youngsters rushing up from below, failed to relieve him of the first time. His second attempt was more successful and the 'pass' was complete. The adult then flew swiftly back from whence he came, but not before flashing his bright orange trousers against gathering steely clouds, lit by crisp autumnal sunshine. Sometimes i think i am in heaven

ps...took a few photos...just for fun...with my mobile...as usual!

pps...have 'played around' with a few out-take shots..just for artistic purposes...might show them later....!

 

[halftwo]

Right grand, U. Right grand.

 

[John Barber]

It's interesting to note the apparently different feeding behaviour patterns between the two groups. Your adults are still catching and feeding birds to the young at this late stage, even though they are fully competent flyers. I don't think we witnessed any birds being fed to this group once they were able to hawk for themselves. ( H or Sid may correct me on that )

 

[username]

John.....yes...it is a very late stage for my birds to still be hanging about! Only the adult male present now though, the female left some time ago. Must be at least 6 weeks now that these juveniles have been fledged, perhaps the relatively clement weather is encouraging them to stay longer than they should?

And speaking of a 'late stage'...i sneaked off to have another look late this afternoon..i can never resist! One of the youngsters seemed quite happy for me to sit within 30 feet of him, he looked, but was totally unconcerned. This bird was not in the usual 'shooters oak' where a second bird was perched, he perhaps just wanted some space!
As dusk approached i left him surveying his new world...still waiting....still alert...still utterly as charming as ever...

ps...in the attached second photo is the tree where this bird was perched as i left the site...he is in the right hand corner...not that you can really tell....you'll just have to believe me!

 

[John Barber]

Nice to see the photo's - evocative as usual. And I can see the bird - I think !

 

[username]

Apologies for the lack of daily updates. On Friday i was, as they say, 'feeling under the weather', and as i type today...i have a full blown 'cold' and fuzzy head! [Excuses made]......!
So..a quick update. Only saw one juv on Friday, tho 'cameraman' had two...[see attached photo of a 'Friday' bird]!
Yesterday i was side-tracked by a first for Leicestershire...a Common...[i prefer Scarlet]!....Rosefinch...which performed very well in a birders garden! After this very enjoyable local twitch i thought about 'calling it a day', as i was feeling very rough, but...as the sun was shining late afternoon i decided to call in on the hobbies...again!
I remained close to two perched juveniles, who were as usual, sat in the 'shooters oak'..and together we watched the sun descend below the horizon. No activity, no calling, all was very peaceful.
As dusk approached, a flock of a hundred plus meadow pipits flew low overhead heading in a southerly direction. I paid great interest to these pipits...the hobbies did not....!

 

[halftwo]

Nice full crop there, U.
If I were pushed I'd say that was a female.

 

[username]

Nice full crop there, U.
If I were pushed I'd say that was a female.

You could be right H2.....tho i am not confident enough to be able to sex these birds myself. With only a 5 to 10% difference between males and females it's a hard call..!
I believe that somewhere in this very long thread you may have mentioned other features which you use to separate the sexes..? I can't find the posting so would be interested in your thoughts if you might care to go through your findings/observations again. Appreciated!
Last week when all three juvs were side by side i thought, at one point, that one bird might have been slightly smaller than the other two...but again...i'm not absolutely sure!

ps...after two, admittedly brief, visits to 'the' Leics site yesterday...it seems as though my hobbies have gone! [tho as they are known for 'sneakiness'...am not 100% sure on that]!
So...perhaps my observations of the two youngsters at sunset on the 26th September will prove to be 'the end'?! Sunday morning was ideal for migrating raptors, sunny, light winds etc.....bon voyage....?

 

[halftwo]

I believe that somewhere in this very long thread you may have mentioned other features which you use to separate the sexes..? I can't find the posting so would be interested in your thoughts if you might care to go through your findings/observations again. Appreciated!

perhaps my observations of the two youngsters at sunset on the 26th September will prove to be 'the end'?! Sunday morning was ideal for migrating raptors, sunny, light winds etc.....bon voyage....?

On a perched view like this I reckon I could make out a different body shape: on the males the slim belly & consequent lollypop effect compared to a more cylindrical body - bigger belly - on the females, showing a fuller lower body.

A very subtle & not as reliable feature is the proportionally bigger head on the males - but very difficult to tell most times.

So it could be the end of the season in Leicestershire too, eh?

 

[John Barber]

Spotted a Hobby at Inner Marsh Farm and another at Parkgate today.So there are still some around this far North.

Also managed to see my first rarity - the Long-Billed Dowitcher: well chuffed.

H, Anytime you fancy a Barn Owl trip, let me know

 

[username]

On a perched view like this I reckon I could make out a different body shape: on the males the slim belly & consequent lollypop effect compared to a more cylindrical body - bigger belly - on the females, showing a fuller lower body.

A very subtle & not as reliable feature is the proportionally bigger head on the males - but very difficult to tell most times.

So it could be the end of the season in Leicestershire too, eh?

Thanks for that info H2....i shall scrutinize photos of our juveniles more closely! Interesting....!

Yes...it could be a case of 'they think its all over...it is now' for the Leicestershire hobbies! However, with the 'track record' of these elusive birds, i will not be convinced until i spend a little longer 'in the field'....[which i hope to do tomorrow...my 'cold' symptoms permitting]!

 

[JCLynn]

Well, 'our' Hobbies have now departed, last sighting were the two stragglers, that stayed til evening, on Sunday, the two adults taking advantage of the weather and heading away early morning. Monday's search has shown zero Hobbies and the local kestrel was back hovering in 'the hobby quarter' which I reckon is as good a sign as any that the Hobbies have left the building. Monday was also fairly dragonfly-less and only one swallow was zippping around the farm, so I think the Hobbies knew when to quit. Oh well, soon be next year.

 

[username]

Well H2 and anyone else who might still be interested, i think i can almost definitely say that my hobbies have now gone! I spent a little time in the area this afternoon..as much time as my 'cold ridden' body would allow me!...and no sign.
The only signs i saw were of a deepening autumn, with more ploughed fields and hundreds of gulls following in squabbling masses behind the ever-churning tractors....

I can only imagine now where the hobbies might be...soaring high over new grounds way to the south...

If i had been feeling a bit fitter i would have searched a bit longer, but my head was feeling rather 'wooley' and my eyes felt rather strained, so i headed off back home to rest my weary bones!
I leave you with a couple of remaining scenes of the Leicestershire countryside.....now...i'm pretty sure!...devoid of hobbies....[til next year...lets hope]......all the best to fellow hobby fans...:t:

 

[halftwo]

Well, U, that's that then.

Just to let you know I've got a really bad cold - presumably caught by reading your postings.:-C

Similar scenes in Cheshire - ploughs busy returning the land to further production, good numbers of finches, buntings and sparrows in remaining stubble. Still a few hirundines around (though not as many Swallows as in Scotland at the weekend, strangely.)

Thanks again to all contributors - it's been a good season - belying the ?BTO survey which said otherwise.

Cheers all. B :t:

 

[Irene Boston]

Hobby chapter

Was dipping into Hawkwatcher by D. Orton last night for a chapter on Gos (as you do), and ended up re-reading half of it! I'd forgotten what a cracking book it is, and there's a very nice chapter on Hobbies there too .... just to ease the withdrawal symptoms slightly.

 

[Biancone]

Couple of things. First, I wanted to report that the local Hobbies I've been watching stuff their faces with dragonflies and the odd passerine for the past few weeks seem to have gone today, at least none was working any of the usual Hobby beats. Almost like they turned the calendar and realised it's October. Second, I wanted to say thanks to all contributors for making this such an engaging and informative thread, with some great real-world pictures too. Particularly Halftwo, who can turn a decent phrase, and who has brought to life some kind of earthly paradise where hobbies tear about, sparrowhawks almost brush one's legs....peregrines....buzzards...

 

[halftwo]

Couple of things. First, I wanted to report that the local Hobbies I've been watching stuff their faces with dragonflies and the odd passerine for the past few weeks seem to have gone today, at least none was working any of the usual Hobby beats. Almost like they turned the calendar and realised it's October. Second, I wanted to say thanks to all contributors for making this such an engaging and informative thread, with some great real-world pictures too. Particularly Halftwo, who can turn a decent phrase, and who has brought to life some kind of earthly paradise where hobbies tear about, sparrowhawks almost brush one's legs....peregrines....buzzards...

Thanks for the kind words, Biancone.
Were your Hobbies around right up until today?

H

 

[JCLynn]

Sighted a late straggler today! (01/10/2009) Heading south, with a sense of purpose. It was just outside my local 'hobby patch' and I'm sure it wasn't one of the local gang, just an odd one passing through.

 

[Biancone]

Hi Halftwo: until dusk last night at least, I didn't get out until 3pm today! But I'll have another look tomorrow...