The Hobby is still something of a scarcity in this part of coastal Lancashire known as The Fylde. The sighting of a Hobby adds more than a smidgeon of excitement to an often mundane day. Even better when a single sighting of the will o’ the wisp raptor becomes a double whammy.
The Hobby, a Schedule One Species, breeds inland not too many miles away, just a car ride away, a location already subject to interest from too many bird listers. It would be easy to add to the database of visitors and potentially draw attention to a breeding locality but how much better is it to meet and to enjoy a Hobby or two in the course of a normal day's birding?
My latest encounter of this pacy raptor came about today while Andy and I were out bird ringing over Pilling way, catching the bits and pieces of a normal day. A quiet spell had us sitting in the sun watching Meadow Pipits surveying a walk-in trap placed about 40 yards away on the farm track. We’d had some success with eight Meadow Pipits caught but frustrated by the sight of two Yellow Wagtails not finding their way into the metal maze while pipits had no such problems.
From the north and east came two Hobby (is that Hobbys or Hobbies?) in close unison, playing in the breeze like the juveniles they were as they drifted over the nearby sea wall and continued their leisurely way west. It was yesterday evening when the farmer Richard told me of his sighting while tending livestock of a “large swift” - “going like the clappers”, one of those sightings that goes into the memory hole to often resurface another day.
Hobby
We caught other species in a single, slightly blowy mist net and ended up with 14 ringed – 8 Meadow Pipit, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Meadow Pipit
Reed Warbler
Whitethroat
Pied Wagtail
Birds that got away or didn’t come near the nets included 70 or more Swallows,40 Meadow Pipits, 4 Wheatear, 25 Pied Wagtail, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Goldfinch, several Linnets, Grey Heron, Common Sandpiper.
Linnet
Wheatear
Wheatear
Goldfinch
Yellow Wagtail
Swallow
Swallow
Yes, it was a very young Wheatear that has quickly joined in the action, already setting off on the long journey to Africa.
While the sun shines I’m making hay too.
Weekend is not looking good but two more days of bright weather means more news, views and photos on Another Bird Blog. Don't miss it folks.
Linking today to Eileen's Saturday Blog.
Fine birds! I wish you successful birding.
ReplyDeleteNice variety of bird life keeping you busy. Looking forward to some more.
ReplyDeleteCheers Phil.
Mike.
Your "bits and pieces of a normal day" sounded good to my non-ringer's ears. Plus the 70-odd additional birds sighted. From reading about your recent efforts, considering non-cooperative weather, it seems like it was a fairly successful day.
ReplyDeleteAll of that, and you managed to find two birds of the Hobby persuasion! Brilliant!
For me, any day that includes a Falcon sighting is a good day indeed.
All is almost back to what passes for "normal" around here. Gini will have stitches removed today but is feeling quite good. It is August and we are already receiving reports of migratory warblers being sighted locally.
Good times are just ahead!
I would love to have seen the Hobby but I was also interested in the plural!! This is what I came up with "Animals with names that end in a consonant plus “y” are normally pluralised by changing the “y” to “ies” — eg, hobby/hobbies, veery/veeries, baby/babies."
ReplyDeleteLove the Meador Pipit, what a pretty bird. It appears to have been a fairly successful day although I am sure you would have liked to have caught more.
Have a good weekend, Diane
Hello Phil,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful variety of birds and photos. The Hobby is a great bird, I would be happy to see just one. Great report and outing. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.
The Hobby's appearance at Hoskote lake a few years ago caused quite a stir among birders here. I'm happy for your rare encounter. Your closeup shots are fantastic. May the sunny days continue to shine on your adventures!
ReplyDeleteIt feels so great to get out and you really do have to take advantage of good weather and go when it's nice. We are stuck inside this week because of intense heat and I'm getting grouchy! lol Love your photos...now I feel better!
ReplyDeleteAugust has been so mixed weather-wise.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to get out and about and I always enjoy seeing the birds you photograph.
All the best Jan