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!!!!!