Fast Fliers.

In a recent post "Thursley Common-Residents and Migrants" I promised some more images of  a migrant falcon that is known for its exceptional aerial acrobatics.

The Hobby (Falco subbuteo) that regularly catches and eats its insect prey on the wing.

At a distance it appears sickle-like in flight, often resembling a Swift when gliding with folded wings and can easily reach speeds up to 100 mph.

Its aerial agility also enables it to catch birds in flight, particularly hirundines, and I have, over the years, witnessed individuals chasing and catching both House Martins and Swifts.

Whilst not as agile as the Hobby, the Common Swift (Apus apus) is thought to be the fastest species in level flight; recorded at 111.6 km/h or 69.3 mph. I captured these images above my parents house earlier this week where for many years three pairs have nested and reared their youngsters.

Amazing to know that they feed and sleep on the wing and almost never land except at their nest sites. Swifts can't fly in wet weather in the UK so they fly around storms to find dry areas and is thought to be the only UK bird to adopt this method.

Linking to:
Saturday's Critters
I'D-Rather-B-Birdin'

Fenland with friends. (Part 2)

Continuing from my previous post (Early Start in Suffolk) I didn't have to wait long before my companions for the day to arrive. It had been just over four years since Keith (holdingmoments) had spent a day birding with me in Surrey so while more caffeine was consumed we chatted as if it was only yesterday. I have only known Trevor (aka The Herald) via his blog postings but the immediate healthy banter between us suggested that this was going to be a good day regardless of what we may or may not see at RSPB Lakenheath.

As we headed off along the trail behind the Reserve Centre we were greeted by Goldfiches on the feeder plus Reed Bunting and Reed Warblers flitting in and out of the reeds. Further along the path the strident calls of Cetti's Warbler got us scanning every possible spot for any glimpse of this generally secretive songster but without success while the diminutive Wrens popped up everywhere.

As we arrived at the first watch-point overlooking the main reed-bed a Bittern rose up and flew away from us and was probably startled by a member of the reserve staff undertaking the morning survey. While being entertained by a family of Greylag Geese we quickly added Marsh Harriers, both perched and quartering the reed tops, Common Tern, Cormorant, Cuckoo's calling and in flight, Kestrel, Blackcap and a Kingfisher but no sign of any Bearded Reedlings.

There were a few Swifts but certainly not the numbers I had witnessed on my earlier visit some 10 days previously.

 

Our route then took us up onto the bank overlooking the river and over the distant farmland a low flying Barn Owl appeared to be attacked by a brown coloured raptor and they both disappeared. After what seemed ages the Barn Owl re-appeared looking no worse for the encounter ... our belief is that the Barn Owl was carrying prey and was probably successfully molested by a female Sparrowhawk.  

Moving onwards we eventually reached the furthest watch-point overlooking a more extensive reed-bed with more sightings of Marsh Harriers but we didn't locate the Common Cranes that were apparently in this general area. We did finally get views of a number of Hobbies hawking insects as we commenced our return route. 

 Grey Heron flying over.

With a lessening of bird activity our attentions turned to other wildlife. A Stoat dashed across our path while we were all trying to get shots of Reed Warblers deep within the reeds ... I wasn't successful!

The vegetation was carefully scanned for anything that our lenses might capture and for me this included Scarce Chaser, Azure Damselfly and Brown-lipped Snail but I bet Keith and Trevor have many, many more beasties on their memory cards. I was fascinated by a very tiny Moth (see image below) with exceptionally long antennae and somehow managed to catch one in my fingers but I couldn't get my pocket PowerShot to focus so Trev did the honours while it perched on my finger. We had no idea of its name so Trev dubbed it 'Frank's Finger Moth'!!

I eventually got a close up of another individual and thanks to Trevor's subsequent diligent research I now know it is a Yellow-bared Longhorn micro moth (Nemophora degeerella).

Another interesting creature was this Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens) with its velvety coat and two tone antennae.

Returning to our first stop of the day our patience eventually paid off as we heard the calls of Bearded Reedlings ....

.... and then a pair flitted across the water and finally settled on the feeder tray but unfortunately partially obscured by the waving reeds. Not an ideal image but for me it will suffice for now.

The voice of another visitor sitting close by rang bells in my memory and I was delighted to have a brief chat with a old acquaintance, Trevor Gunton a very respected ornithologist, who way back in the 1980's introduced me to many of the special birds along the North Norfolk Coast. I chuckled when he commented that we were both much younger then but he still had a glint in his eyes when talking about the birds we both love to watch

We returned to our vehicles and enjoyed a late picnic lunch while reminiscing over our day so far. For me this had been my style of relaxed wildlife watching in the company of two like minded friends but it wasn't to end here so you will have to stay tuned for the final installment.  FAB.

Linking to I'D-Rather-B-Birdin' hosted by Anni and Wild Bird Wednesday hosted by Stewart.

Jersey - Day 1

Anita and I headed north to Greve De Lecq and commenced the steep climb up onto the coastal path heading east. This is the view of the small sandy bay from the cliff top path...the view would be totally different on the weekend with everyone flocking to any available sandy spot!

Herring Gulls patrolled the cliff tops. A Chiffchaff was singing from a high tree perch and we heard the sounds of Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits plus a Wren.

Around the potato fields we spied over 20 sickle shapes dashing low over the crops and moments later the Swifts climbed high into the sky chasing their insect prey. Then a Kestrel flew overhead hunting for a meal.

An unexpected sighting was four Red-legged Partridge who promptly flew into cover as soon as they felt our presence. Small numbers of House Martins and a single Swallow passed by.

The coastal path took us past a number of properties with gardens to die for...full of colourful blooms.

Well worn Painted Lady's were basking in the sunshine.

Erigeron (Fleabane) growing in the granite walls.

This garden was created within the ruins of an older building.

The pathway twisted and turned with brief views of the sea.

Speckled Wood butterflies were very common.

Just two of the many wild flowers that graced our walk.

During a rest stop we watched the stiff winged flight of Northern Fulmars using the updrafts around the rocky cliffs (but too far away for pictures).

Dibley, Dandelions and Apus apus.

Yesterday we were invited to a B-b-Q at a friend’s home which backs onto open pasture and managed grassland so we took a short mid afternoon stroll with our hosts and their dog ‘Dibley’.

In the woodland edge bordering the first field we heard Blackcap, Wren, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and a deer was disturbed by our presence. For the gardener, Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) appearing in their well cared for lawns are an unwelcome invader and if you have ever blown on a dandelion clock to “tell the time”, then you will know how easily the seed travel. This dispersal method using its parachute-assisted seeds is part of the plant’s success in neglected urban areas allowing it to be carried easily to new sites on a breath of wind.Once established, the seedling puts down, well anchored roots that survive damage to the foliage above ground. The leaves produce a bitter, narcotic latex which deters browsing animals and the flat leaf rosette allows it to withstand mowing, heavy animal and even human traffic.

So what are the benefits, I hear you say? Well its sturdiness means that its nectar supports early bumblebees and butterflies that could otherwise not live in the wasteland.

So how many seeds do you reckon are in this area?

In early spring when almost every wild flower seems to be yellow, it is easy to confuse the dandelion with Coltsfoot (but their flowers come out before the large flat leaves develop, hence its old country name of “son before father”) and Cat’s ear (which has ragged edged, hairy leaves that are not very cat-like). Tony reminded us that when they first moved in some 30 years ago he heard Corncrake (on migration) calling from this field when the land was managed somewhat differently.

Further on the landscape is a mixture of open grassland used for sheep grazing and the occassional fenced area where Clover is grown commercially. The occasional old oak tree (Quercus robur) stands proudly in the landscape and is the larder for an astronomical number of insects and their larvae (over 1000 different species) plus providing nesting sites for various species of birds and smaller mammals.During the early evening as we feasted, chatted and tasted various liquids we were increasingly bombarded by the screaming calls of Swifts (Apus apus) flying around and Tony kindly allowed me to try out his Tamron 100-300 lens in an attempt to capture these very fast, high altitude flyer's.