A Red-footed Falcon at Abberton

9th May 2025

A female Red-footed Falcon had been found at Abberton frequenting the far bank of Hide Bay so time for a visit. On my way to the Hide Bay Hide a Kestrel was hovering over the play area so I grabbed a couple of shots. Let's hope the Red-footed Falcon is as obliging.

There were quite a few birds feeding over the bay, particularly hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and a sprinkling of Common Terns.

Also a couple of Hobbys around and one came close to the hide carrying and eating a prey item. Not sure what it was carrying but certainly not a dragonfly and more likely a moth or butterfly, or possibly a chafer.

So what about the Red-footed Falcon? Well, it was showing well and in view most of the time, but it was hugging the far bank and occasionally visiting the bay to the left, both considerable distances away.

It is always difficult to judge distances over water so I measured it on Google Earth and the far bank looking straight out from the hide is 400 yards away and the bay to the left a mere 200 yards. So here are the best I could manage.

If only they behaved like Kestrels!!!!!

Hobbies at Fowlmere

3rd May 2025

After a great morning with the Spotted Sandpiper at Grafham Water, time for a visit to Fowlmere to see how the harriers are getting on. Today I was on the afternoon shift so a bit quiet on the harrier front, but enough to get some shots, mainly of the male which was far more active.

The female only flew a couple of times and mainly short hops.

Overall what I saw was quite worrying. The first observation is that in the three hours I was there neither bird went anywhere near the nest site. Also at a time when it was generally expected that the female was on eggs, not only was she nowhere near the nest but sat in a tree for almost an hour, all of which leads you to the conclusion that the first nest has failed.

However, the good news was that both birds visited a new location on a few occasions but no nesting material was taken in, although this is not necessarily surprising as that seems to be more of a morning activity. So watch this space.

On the plus side the Hobbies were putting on a fantastic show right in front of the hide. I have been coming to Fowlmere for 10 years now and have photographed Hobbies here on just a handful of occasions, normally involving just one or two birds. However today there were definitely three birds present and possibly four, and at least one was in view for most of the time. Enjoy!!

This one was coming in for the kill for what might possibly be a mayfly.

Wow, what an afternoon, and also good to have a catch-up with Distinctly Average who was enjoying his new toy.

A Spotted Sandpiper at Grafham Water

3rd May 2025

A Spotted Sandpiper was found at Grafham Water on the 1st May and during  that day and the next day kept to the north end of the dam so time for a look. I parked the car and walked round to the dam wondering how many people would be there and was a bit taken aback when there were.........none! Apparently it flew further down the dam earlier in the morning and was then spooked by a Common Sandpiper and both flew off out over the reservoir, so it was just a matter of looking and waiting to hear if it had been re-located.

There were a few of the usual suspects present like this Pied Wagtail.

Also a sprinkling of waders starting with four Little Ringed Plovers.

And then a couple of Common Sandpipers, all carefully checked for spots.

But the biggest surprise today was the appearance of a single winter-plumaged Sanderling. I don't recall ever seeing a Sanderling here before which is not too surprising as they are fairly scarce inland.

But then the news came through the Spotted Sandpiper had been relocated on a narrow beach below the Plummer car park so off for a long trek around the dam. It was some 20 yards away and by now had moved under some trees so the dappled light made photography a bit more interesting, but here are the results.

Well, after a shaky start that turned out well so now off to Fowlmere.