A Falcon day and more.

Light rain initially then sunny spells, 24°, light SSW.

An unprecedented number of Kestrel on the hill today with 11 birds in total. When I arrived there at around 10:00 there were 5 and by midday the number had risen to 11.

A lot of hunting for mainly Grasshoppers and a lot of interaction between them all.

(Michael P went up to the hill during his lunch break but only saw 10 Kestrel 😀).

Just prior to midday a Peregrine Falcon drifted over and immediately 5 of the Kestrel flew up to meet it and basically drove it off, the Peregrine flying off strongly to the south west.

And just as I was leaving a juvenile Hobby flew south over the western end of the hill.

A light but steady flow of Lesser Blackback Gull over the hill all moving roughly south west.

2 Common Redstart still present on the hill and a couple of Chiffchaff there.

Nearby 4 Spotted Flycatcher along the central hedge in the cattle field, also a Willow Warbler, several Chiffchaff and at least 3 Bullfinch present.

TW went out and saw the Flycatchers mid-afternoon.

Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail overhead and several Yellowhammer all noted.

4 Wheatear around Silly Bridge this morning. Per Michael Pocock.

A Song Thrush regularly visiting the garden for a bath recently.

Mammals: Roe Deer and Brown Hare.

Dragonflies: Common Darter.

Butterflies: 1 Brimstone, Large White, Small White, 3 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 3 Speckled Wood, several Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown and 1 Ringlet.

Insects: Hornet Robberfly.

Spotted Flycatcher



from Cholsey Wildlife https://cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-falcon-day-and-more.html

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