Hobbys at Lakenheath Fen

 11th October 2020

Today's outing was to Lakenheath Fen in the hope of some Bitterns, cranes, harriers or Bearded Tits, but the last thing I was expecting to see were two Hobbys hawking the skies. Lakenheath is a great site for Hobbys and large numbers, up to 100, gather here when they return from Africa in the spring before departing for their breeding sites. A few return in the autumn and some juveniles remain until the latter half of October.

A lot of patience is required when photographing Hobbys. When at distance they are not moving too fast, but not close enough for a good shot. However, when they come close they whizz across in front of you and are far too fast to focus on. So many attempts are required before it all falls into place.

Juveniles can be identified by the pale fringeing to the coverts of the wings and tail. They are also the last birds to leave for their journey to Africa, the adults having left several weeks before. I wonder how they know the way?

 

And of course the reason for them delaying their journey is to build up their reserves by eating lots of dragonflies. At this time of year there are only two species of dragonfly still on the wing, the Common Darter and the Migrant Hawker. This bird has caught a Common Darter and is eating on the wing to save time.

Well, what a wonderful surprise and I look forward to photographing them again in the spring when they are present in much larger numbers.