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Hobby Thread 2010 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter halftwo
- Start date
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Pink-feet & Peregrine & More
08:15 - 09:45 : Cold & bright.
Autumn bright and clear and cold settled in overnight, turning a seasonal leaf. A Goldcrest whispered in the garden and along the lanes sparrows huddled in the hedges. It was a morning of promised movement, of shifting sands.
Hidden Hobbies called from somewhere as hirundines skimmed meadow and stubble, corvids and pigeons hunkered to gleaning as the Sparrowhawk, at first merely gliding, began to get serious and dropped low to fly at speed over the straw, now against the field trying to flush prey.
With a rapid turn she hit the hedge and disappeared - only to reappear as she bounced back in, claws raking at the hawthorn. Then away again along the far hedge, along the gap, hidden now.
Suddenly all the world was up and flying - Stock doves and Wood pigeons, finches and sparrows, Starlings and Black-headed gulls all swirling in confusion. Somewhere a Peregrine was hunting, but no other sign.
A Raven's cronk. There, from the south, across the sun and beyond in the blinding light, it called again as the sky filled with birds. Turning back west now the Peregrine was perching right in front: on the pylon and in the sun. An adult male. He watched as the world settled: birds drained from the air and all went quiet.
Ten minutes: and he spots something; bobs his head checking distances and launches, powering away west around the copse for cover, and now the young Hobbies come out to mob. They follow, two fighters escorting a bomber, before turning back to the copse to perch again. Away where the Peregrine's attack came good a panic of pigeons exploded airward. Now another Raven cries and comes in.
One at a time three Ravens fly in and perch on the pylon - big dagger bills jutting murderously. The local Crows now had something other than Hobbies to harrass, but their attentions were ineffectual.
Buzzards flew past, making the Little owl yelp. Another Sparrowhawk put the small birds into a swirl and a ball of Starlings spiralled. The Ravens exited - heading north.
In the quiet aftermath of raptors a sound began to build from the east. Autumn called from the cold clear sky and a dark line of Pink-footed geese grew as it blew west. Two lines met in confusion and began to sort into a single skein, the calls raining down as the geese passed a rainbow.
Quiet settled softly and the sun warmed in sheltered lees, coaxing butterflies to chance the chill: a Comma, a remnant orange-peel scrap of summer, and a Red Admiral - the 'October fly' - flitted brightly briefly, as Chiffchaffs chased from corn to oak, calling. But the ghost of the season faded in the shadow of a passing cloud: Meadow pipits heading south ushered in Autumn that geese had shown the way.
A movement from the copse: the young Hobbies had set off - back across the field, where, half way, they met their mother, rising to the hunt, ignoring her offspring as she passed above them, leaving to the west, her eye on distant prey. Her young returned to their perch in the sun, to await her patiently.
A Heron lapped languidly by - huge above a flitting Yellowhammer - past the Kestrel balancing on a wire, head down owl-like, watching for voles. Sparrows still huddled in the hedges.
08:15 - 09:45 : Cold & bright.
Autumn bright and clear and cold settled in overnight, turning a seasonal leaf. A Goldcrest whispered in the garden and along the lanes sparrows huddled in the hedges. It was a morning of promised movement, of shifting sands.
Hidden Hobbies called from somewhere as hirundines skimmed meadow and stubble, corvids and pigeons hunkered to gleaning as the Sparrowhawk, at first merely gliding, began to get serious and dropped low to fly at speed over the straw, now against the field trying to flush prey.
With a rapid turn she hit the hedge and disappeared - only to reappear as she bounced back in, claws raking at the hawthorn. Then away again along the far hedge, along the gap, hidden now.
Suddenly all the world was up and flying - Stock doves and Wood pigeons, finches and sparrows, Starlings and Black-headed gulls all swirling in confusion. Somewhere a Peregrine was hunting, but no other sign.
A Raven's cronk. There, from the south, across the sun and beyond in the blinding light, it called again as the sky filled with birds. Turning back west now the Peregrine was perching right in front: on the pylon and in the sun. An adult male. He watched as the world settled: birds drained from the air and all went quiet.
Ten minutes: and he spots something; bobs his head checking distances and launches, powering away west around the copse for cover, and now the young Hobbies come out to mob. They follow, two fighters escorting a bomber, before turning back to the copse to perch again. Away where the Peregrine's attack came good a panic of pigeons exploded airward. Now another Raven cries and comes in.
One at a time three Ravens fly in and perch on the pylon - big dagger bills jutting murderously. The local Crows now had something other than Hobbies to harrass, but their attentions were ineffectual.
Buzzards flew past, making the Little owl yelp. Another Sparrowhawk put the small birds into a swirl and a ball of Starlings spiralled. The Ravens exited - heading north.
In the quiet aftermath of raptors a sound began to build from the east. Autumn called from the cold clear sky and a dark line of Pink-footed geese grew as it blew west. Two lines met in confusion and began to sort into a single skein, the calls raining down as the geese passed a rainbow.
Quiet settled softly and the sun warmed in sheltered lees, coaxing butterflies to chance the chill: a Comma, a remnant orange-peel scrap of summer, and a Red Admiral - the 'October fly' - flitted brightly briefly, as Chiffchaffs chased from corn to oak, calling. But the ghost of the season faded in the shadow of a passing cloud: Meadow pipits heading south ushered in Autumn that geese had shown the way.
A movement from the copse: the young Hobbies had set off - back across the field, where, half way, they met their mother, rising to the hunt, ignoring her offspring as she passed above them, leaving to the west, her eye on distant prey. Her young returned to their perch in the sun, to await her patiently.
A Heron lapped languidly by - huge above a flitting Yellowhammer - past the Kestrel balancing on a wire, head down owl-like, watching for voles. Sparrows still huddled in the hedges.
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halftwo
Wird Batcher
Gory Interlude
15:00 - 16:00 ish.
The young were exactly where I'd left then five hours before - not just on the same branch, but in the same position!
As they weren't active I turned my attention to other goings on nearby.
See 'Eaten Alive' in the My Birding Day Thread for more of the gory episode.
Soon after this occurrance the adult male came in to perch with his offspring - then, after a few minutes all three were up and circling over my head, the young begging as the male gained height.
One of the young caught a couple of insects and all three drifted east with the wind. Five minutes later the young were back at the same branch, same position!
This time last year the adult Hobbies were already on their way to Africa - leaving their young to fend for themselves. It won't be long now.
15:00 - 16:00 ish.
The young were exactly where I'd left then five hours before - not just on the same branch, but in the same position!
As they weren't active I turned my attention to other goings on nearby.
See 'Eaten Alive' in the My Birding Day Thread for more of the gory episode.
Soon after this occurrance the adult male came in to perch with his offspring - then, after a few minutes all three were up and circling over my head, the young begging as the male gained height.
One of the young caught a couple of insects and all three drifted east with the wind. Five minutes later the young were back at the same branch, same position!
This time last year the adult Hobbies were already on their way to Africa - leaving their young to fend for themselves. It won't be long now.
John Barber
Well-known member
Hobby Talk ?
13.10 - 13.40
Three hobbies above the nest site. Two calling loudly to each other beneath grey skys.
Perhaps the conversation is of immient travel.
13.10 - 13.40
Three hobbies above the nest site. Two calling loudly to each other beneath grey skys.
Perhaps the conversation is of immient travel.
John Barber
Well-known member
Still Around
12.20 - 12.40
Unable to stay very long but three hobbies still making a din flying around the copse to the left of the site.
Not sure which were adults / juveniles as the light was poor and I only had my binoc's.
Maybe one bird had already migrated ?
12.20 - 12.40
Unable to stay very long but three hobbies still making a din flying around the copse to the left of the site.
Not sure which were adults / juveniles as the light was poor and I only had my binoc's.
Maybe one bird had already migrated ?
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Five Hobbies, one Green Sandpiper
Hmm...!
16:00 - 17:00 : pleasant, intermittant sunshine.
Before I'd had time to set my 'scope up to check the usual Hobby-infested tree a little speck caught in the corner of my eye.
Getting closer...wader...closer...Green sandpiper. Calling as it came over and continued on.
The two young Hobbies were sitting in their accustomed tree - watching other birds which weren't as lazy. Happening past at least a mile distant, a tiny unfocussed something went through the field of view. Refocussing: a Hobby. Two. Fly-catching fairly high and gradually drifting east. Then another!
Three for a while all loosely together until one stooped at the third - but quickly resuming its progress as the other turned west and all were lost.
A Sparrowhawk being pursued by Crows for many minutes entertained - swerving deftly out of reach as the procrastinators persisted, landing several times in the tree line trying to hide, only to be discovered and moved on. Meanwhile a Jackdaw pushed Starlings along telephone wires, which merely swapped positions to negate any clearing tactic the Jackdaw hoped to acheive. Two Hares chomped heartily below amongst weedy stubble.
A strange thing then: the distinctive call of a Peregrine shrieked across the field - yet remained out of sight.
But after an hour, despite some promising wing-stretching by one, the two Hobbies still obstinately sat in their tree.
Hmm...!
16:00 - 17:00 : pleasant, intermittant sunshine.
Before I'd had time to set my 'scope up to check the usual Hobby-infested tree a little speck caught in the corner of my eye.
Getting closer...wader...closer...Green sandpiper. Calling as it came over and continued on.
The two young Hobbies were sitting in their accustomed tree - watching other birds which weren't as lazy. Happening past at least a mile distant, a tiny unfocussed something went through the field of view. Refocussing: a Hobby. Two. Fly-catching fairly high and gradually drifting east. Then another!
Three for a while all loosely together until one stooped at the third - but quickly resuming its progress as the other turned west and all were lost.
A Sparrowhawk being pursued by Crows for many minutes entertained - swerving deftly out of reach as the procrastinators persisted, landing several times in the tree line trying to hide, only to be discovered and moved on. Meanwhile a Jackdaw pushed Starlings along telephone wires, which merely swapped positions to negate any clearing tactic the Jackdaw hoped to acheive. Two Hares chomped heartily below amongst weedy stubble.
A strange thing then: the distinctive call of a Peregrine shrieked across the field - yet remained out of sight.
But after an hour, despite some promising wing-stretching by one, the two Hobbies still obstinately sat in their tree.
sid ashton
Well-known member
The final sighting???
We did it again H just missed you this time - I arrived shortly after you left to find both still sitting and stretching and there thet sat for 45 minutes - I think they must be saving themselves for their long flight which surely must now be very soon. I am not going to be able to get to the site until the end of the week so that is probably the last time I shall see these two but then again.......
We did it again H just missed you this time - I arrived shortly after you left to find both still sitting and stretching and there thet sat for 45 minutes - I think they must be saving themselves for their long flight which surely must now be very soon. I am not going to be able to get to the site until the end of the week so that is probably the last time I shall see these two but then again.......
John Barber
Well-known member
The weather is warming up again Sid - perhaps they'll wait a few more days.
joannec
Well-known member
I birded my local heathland patch yesterday and surprisingly heard the kekekeing of a hobby..............didn't see it. I was surprised as I believed this pair (that was some way away and in dense pine forest) to have not succeeded in breeding. Now I'm not so sure. This is an altogether different site to the one I wrote of the past few weeks.
Cheshire Birder
Well-known member
Had a Hobby flying over Inner Marsh Farm last night so still a few birds around. One thing I will say about this year, as i've travelled around Cheshire is that i've had more Hobby sightings than in the previous 10 years put together!!
CB
CB
John Barber
Well-known member
That's an interesting comment CB. I wonder if Cheshire is representative of other counties ?
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Interesting, Joanne, goes to suggest the later breeding this year, again - and I (still) wonder why.
Any ideas anyone? Wonder if the exceptional winter had something to do with it? Entomologists out there - was there a delay in insect activity?
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ed keeble
Well-known member
maybe a knock-on effect of cold winter, crows nesting slightly later
had lovely Suffolk Hobby yesterday- out in the garden to get better reception for long work phone call and at about the hour 1 mark, an adult Hobby powered through at head height
Cheshire Birder
Well-known member
This could well be the case. This autumn I have hardly seen a Wasp around our rubbish bins which last year were teeming with them.
CB
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Two Still At Large
16:00 - 17:15 Very mild, slight breeze.
Well, the equinox is upon us and the young remain, the call of Africa ever stronger in their instinctive hearts. But still they cling to the parental territory, looking well-fed despite their torpor and general inactivity.
Fortunately the day is mild enough for dragonflies - in fact warmer today (even now at 17c at 6pm) - than many in August. So, after some time, the Hobbies swapped perches for a more exposed metallic structure, where they perched up high, viewing the world, the breeze blowing breast and belly feathers as if they were in constant free fall.
And the young male, much the more animated, kept busy swivelling his head and bobbing to watch any passing animal. And soon he launched to manouever on a dragonfly, catching it and eating as the glide took him back to his origin, powering up to land again. The female remained static, preening.
Off again, this time his grab missed and the dragonfly, brushed by a talon, dived away in a zigzag. The falcon made no attempt to follow, circling to find another insect to catch.
Back to the pylon. Time passes. Somewhere on the equator the sun is setting.
Suddenly passerines are up and Starlings bunch...then the Sparrowhawk is visible, going for a finch or sparrow, twisting and jinking as the smaller bird swerves and dives for cover. The hawk goes to an oak, hiding sleekly in deep shadow, barred unders breaking her outline in shade and in leaf, her yellow maggot toes pale on the bough: limp killers.
The sun draws cloud covers and dragonflies sail down to skim lower layers, the Sparrowhawk breaks shadow to glide and flap, flap and glide, beneath two Hobbies watching from a loftier tower - no reaction.
As the sun begins to set on another season each day could be the last for these Cheshire-born falcons.
16:00 - 17:15 Very mild, slight breeze.
Well, the equinox is upon us and the young remain, the call of Africa ever stronger in their instinctive hearts. But still they cling to the parental territory, looking well-fed despite their torpor and general inactivity.
Fortunately the day is mild enough for dragonflies - in fact warmer today (even now at 17c at 6pm) - than many in August. So, after some time, the Hobbies swapped perches for a more exposed metallic structure, where they perched up high, viewing the world, the breeze blowing breast and belly feathers as if they were in constant free fall.
And the young male, much the more animated, kept busy swivelling his head and bobbing to watch any passing animal. And soon he launched to manouever on a dragonfly, catching it and eating as the glide took him back to his origin, powering up to land again. The female remained static, preening.
Off again, this time his grab missed and the dragonfly, brushed by a talon, dived away in a zigzag. The falcon made no attempt to follow, circling to find another insect to catch.
Back to the pylon. Time passes. Somewhere on the equator the sun is setting.
Suddenly passerines are up and Starlings bunch...then the Sparrowhawk is visible, going for a finch or sparrow, twisting and jinking as the smaller bird swerves and dives for cover. The hawk goes to an oak, hiding sleekly in deep shadow, barred unders breaking her outline in shade and in leaf, her yellow maggot toes pale on the bough: limp killers.
The sun draws cloud covers and dragonflies sail down to skim lower layers, the Sparrowhawk breaks shadow to glide and flap, flap and glide, beneath two Hobbies watching from a loftier tower - no reaction.
As the sun begins to set on another season each day could be the last for these Cheshire-born falcons.
joannec
Well-known member
I spent the day on the South coast today at Pett Level, East Sussex and Dungeness. Hobbies at both locations but much too distant to age. All were hawking insects in the warm sunshine. Loads and loads of dragonflies, some paired, so I think they were having a feast!...........I don't think they will be around for much longer.
joannec
Well-known member
Interesting theory. We had a long and cold winter which could have delayed insects activity? Dragonflies in particular, as the ponds were frozen the larvae would remain at the bottoms of the ponds until the ice thawed.
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Perhaps, Joanne. Here the dragonfly year has been awful, particularly the first weeks. But then there must be a more obvious (to a Hobby) signal in June, as when laying commences (here at least), there are almost no dragons about even in a good year.
So: is/are there species of insect that give some signal for egg-laying to Hobbies which was about ten days late this year?
As all the avian prey is in place long before then it can't be their presence/absence causing the delay. Do Hobbies, like Cuckoos, eg., watch other birds nesting to time their own season? Could it be that Swallows, for instance were later this year?
Last year Swifts featured large in the Hobbies' supply to growing young, this year almost none were taken - as they weren't around. (Did they begin early? Did they fail?) I didn't notice many young Swifts this year.
Day length can't be it, nor moon phase - otherwise (for the former) it would always be the same, and (for the latter) it would vary greatly from year to year.
Or am I extrapolating my Hobby pair & anecdotal evidence too far that most Hobbies were later - does anyone else know for sure that other Hobbies were late?
While wondering when 'our' young Hobbies will be off to Africa, JB & I were speculating what signals might make them migrate. Today was exceptionally mild, with plenty of insect prey; but would a cold/wet September start cause them to go quicker?
Do young need a certain time lapse between fledging and migrating to, a) hone their skills, and b) to gain the stamina/strength which ensures survival during migration.
It appears, from observation of both young and of adults, that, even when the young are most demanding, food supply is not a limiting factor to bringing up a family, nor for the young to find and catch insects for themselves to sustain themselves once the adults stop supplying them.
Contrarily it appears that Hobbies diversify their food range and take other species when preferred species are in short supply. Perhaps, rather, there is a certain density of a number of species within their territory which is more important. Maybe this is why, eg., New Forest Hobby densities are relatively low: maybe not enough hirundines as farms/houses are low in number.
Oh, well, all this speculation... maybe just an excuse for more Hobby observations next year.
So: is/are there species of insect that give some signal for egg-laying to Hobbies which was about ten days late this year?
As all the avian prey is in place long before then it can't be their presence/absence causing the delay. Do Hobbies, like Cuckoos, eg., watch other birds nesting to time their own season? Could it be that Swallows, for instance were later this year?
Last year Swifts featured large in the Hobbies' supply to growing young, this year almost none were taken - as they weren't around. (Did they begin early? Did they fail?) I didn't notice many young Swifts this year.
Day length can't be it, nor moon phase - otherwise (for the former) it would always be the same, and (for the latter) it would vary greatly from year to year.
Or am I extrapolating my Hobby pair & anecdotal evidence too far that most Hobbies were later - does anyone else know for sure that other Hobbies were late?
While wondering when 'our' young Hobbies will be off to Africa, JB & I were speculating what signals might make them migrate. Today was exceptionally mild, with plenty of insect prey; but would a cold/wet September start cause them to go quicker?
Do young need a certain time lapse between fledging and migrating to, a) hone their skills, and b) to gain the stamina/strength which ensures survival during migration.
It appears, from observation of both young and of adults, that, even when the young are most demanding, food supply is not a limiting factor to bringing up a family, nor for the young to find and catch insects for themselves to sustain themselves once the adults stop supplying them.
Contrarily it appears that Hobbies diversify their food range and take other species when preferred species are in short supply. Perhaps, rather, there is a certain density of a number of species within their territory which is more important. Maybe this is why, eg., New Forest Hobby densities are relatively low: maybe not enough hirundines as farms/houses are low in number.
Oh, well, all this speculation... maybe just an excuse for more Hobby observations next year.
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