more hobbies?

vinnychameleon · #1 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 01:29 PM

Im not sure if its just me but this year i seem to be seeing more hobbies then usual

this is great considering their one of my favourite birds! Any body else noticing this? or am i just being lucky? thanks

Ruth Daniel · #2 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 02:01 PM

Good for you Vinny.....i've not seen one..... yet!!

Tursiops2 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 02:16 PM

I've seen 3 so far this year, which is about what I would expect. I'd see more if I got out more

. They're one of my favourites too.

Fieldfare95 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 02:39 PM

I've never seen one, how common are they and what kind of places do you see them in?

vinnychameleon · #5 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 02:52 PM

hi fieldfare there not very common but I am starting to see more as my post said

they usually hunt over open land and heaths and moorland are a great place to see them as they hunt dragonflies as well as in the breeding season alot of house martins and swallows. Near water is a good bet as this supplies dragonflies

I see them over farmland where i live which has lots of open fields along with mixed woodland distributed about

Fieldfare95 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 03:00 PM

Thanks for the info vinnychameleon, will have to keep a look out

Tursiops2 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieldfare95

I've never seen one, how common are they and what kind of places do you see them in?

They used to be very rare, restricted mainly to places like Salisbury Plain and the New Forest, but they've done well over the last few decades and become more widespread across the southern UK. As vinny says, they're birds of open country, particularly heaths, and increasingly farmland. They're strong flyers and mobile - if they're in your area, you're as likely to see them over the town as over the countryside. Keep your eyes on the skies

. Also, listen for House Martin and Swallow alarm calls. What part of the country are you in?

Fieldfare95 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 04:31 PM

Thanks

I am in St Helens, Merseyside

andywolves · #9 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 04:43 PM

I saw my first (and second!) hobby down at Ham Wall last week. One of the guys down there reckons that there can be as many as 30 on the go at any one time! Now THAT would be something to see!