One of those days

[colincurry]

It really was one of those days - and in the best sense possible.

Cordless Dave and I went to Paxton Pits where I had never been before. As we were getting our kit together, we had a good longish distance sighting of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and we managed some shots (in the event and as you will see, I did not bother to keep any). On the way in, this willow warbler was singing its head off



We then heard a bird song that we had not heard before, but could not see the singer. It was beautiful and we concluded that it might be a nightingale. I think I have seen them briefly in Menorca and could not swear to it; but no where else. Happily, our diagnosis was soon confirmed by a sound recordist. This is my first shot of one. Dave may well have better ones - I was using my tripod and forgot to switch off the IS and the resulting shots were irretrievably blurred



We naturally spent quite a long time with the nightingales but eventually went down to the main hide. We did get a long distance sighting of a Red-crested Pochard but too far off to try to snap. Next one of my favourite birds, the dunnock



We turned round to re-trace out steps back to the hide to see if the Pochard would come out to play. On the way, I heard the nightingale again, but ended up with another Willow Warbler instead



Back to the hide, no sight of the Pochard but a chance for coffee. There were feeders to the left of the hide and suddenly this Great Spotted Woodpecker landed on the peanuts - the closest either of us have ever been to one - what agility



He then flew off to a nearby tree carrying a peanut



He climbed higher up the trunk before sadly departing, leaving two rapt fans in his wake



Whilst at the hide, this Great Tit posed



We then passed the Nightingale thicket and I managed two shots; one in voice



We finally made our way back to the car for coffee and a comfort stop. Just to add the icing to the cake, this hobby flew pretty much overhead.



Who's a lucky boy, then?

Colin

[Seajay]

Excellent Colin. Some lovely shots! Never seen a hobby.

Colin

[deer boy]

Hi Colin some cracking shots well done

[Gill Catton]

Fab day - I'm very jealous as I haven't had my nightingale fix of 208 yet!!
re the last bird, are you sure its a hobby? Only it doesn't have the heavy dark facial markings or the chestnut undertail coverts... infact its head is very pale overall leaving me a little stumped on an ID!

[colincurry]

Gill

I am going for hobby in view of the streaked belly and cheeks.

I am always open to persuasion. My first thought was sparrowhawk but the streaks won.

We shall see.

Colin

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Gill

I am going for hobby in view of the streaked belly and cheeks.

I am always open to persuasion. My first thought was sparrowhawk but the streaks won.

We shall see.

Colin

its definately a falcon, not a sparrowhawk - but I'm not sure which one.

I also don't know how quickly juvenille's get the chestnut underparts..... but I think they have the dark facial markings quite early on...

I was wondering about merlin - but even the top of the head seems very light in colour which is really throwing me.....

[Ollie]

You obviously had a great day Colin with some very nice photos as well.

Wouldn't like to say if the last one is Hobby or not. I'm not experienced enough with these to argue either way.
Roger

[colincurry]

Gill

My book says a merlin is small and chunky and usually flies low. This bird is not chunky and was flying pretty high long before it reached us.

Anyway, it's something to occupy us on a Saturday night.

Colin

[LoveT]

I'll throw my hat in the ring and say it's a Hobby!

Your bird seems to have the distinctive 'moustache' that the hobby has, whereas the Merlin doesn't seem to have one (according to my book anyway ).

Had the very great pleasure of seeing one fly last summer - fantastic little bird of prey it is too .

Thea

[Gill Catton]

Now this is a hobby and one of yours Colin, now compare the head and facial marking do you see why I'm not yet convinced?


but then my avatar is a merlin and you can see that the 'moustache' is much lighter much less distinct - but then your original bird in the photo is noticably lighter then the bird in my av.

I personally would never describe a merlin as chunky! Just a slightly smaller falcon.

[GuyF]

The last bird is a Kestrel, a male by the looks of things.
It sounds like an absolutely fantastic day Colin, I've still yet to see a Nightingale in the UK, and to getting a shot of one is very difficult!
Guy

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by GuyF

The last bird is a Kestrel, a male by the looks of things.
It sounds like an absolutely fantastic day Colin, I've still yet to see a Nightingale in the UK, and to getting a shot of one is very difficult!
Guy

It even seems light for a kestrel, but now that you've said it I think that you're right

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by GuyF

The last bird is a Kestrel, a male by the looks of things.
It sounds like an absolutely fantastic day Colin, I've still yet to see a Nightingale in the UK, and to getting a shot of one is very difficult!
Guy

Looks like a definite kestrel to me.

Paxton is a great place for nightingales. It's just a bit of a trek for me!

Regards, Chris

[big bill]

Freat day out you had Colin and great shots well done

[colincurry]

Good morning

Here are a couple more pictures of the kestrel/hobby/merlin that I have rescued from the recycle bin





With the benefit of twenty twenty vision hindsight, I am now inclined to agree with the kestrel diagnosis.

My level of expertise is such that I cannot afford to be dogmatic

I have posted this picture in the gallery as a hobby - perhaps a mod might change this, please?

Colin