Surprising sightings in you area

Neil UK · #1 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 10:36 AM

Well mine had to be last night.

Seen this bird before but wasnt to sure if it was what I saw but lat night proved it. Peregrines in Blackpool!!!

Was walking around MARTON mere and sat on the bench on the east side of the reserve. Watching a Mistle Thrush, when I saw all the Wood Pigeons and Starlings bolt like hell, something had to have startled them and with a look through the ole nocs saw a beautiful female Peregrine circling quite close by. Wish it was closer for my 300mm lens. Back there tonight me thinks!!!

Also for any locals, the female and a juvenile have been spotted in Staining on pylons.

Fieldfare95 · #2 (**permalink**) 16-08-2009, 09:14 AM

Wow! never seen a peregrine.The best sighting I've had in the area has got to be the hen merlin that sat eating a starling in the back garden! I just couldn't believe it, here are the pics:

ChrisJB · #3 (**permalink**) 16-08-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieldfare95

Wow! never seen a peregrine.The best sighting I've had in the area has got to be the hen merlin that sat eating a starling in the back garden! I just couldn't believe it, here are the pics:

I think I remember you posting this before. This still astounds me and makes me exceedingly envious.

Regards, Chris

richnfamous · #4 (**permalink**) 16-08-2009, 01:28 PM

A Merlin...I'm envious! I saw a Hobby last year and others tell me that Somerset is a good place to see them.

The winter before last had a cold snap in March and during this, I was cycling on the Somerset Levels when I saw a Bittern. I'd heard it that morning and discounted the sound: they're just too rare...

Anyway, coming along a drove, a buzzard-sized brown bird lifted off from by the rhyne (that's what the drainage ditches are called round here) and my first thought was 'buzzard...no wait, curved wings, slow wingbeat, big feet trailing behind it'... I didn't get any closer than about 40 yards but there was no doubt at all in my mind. Apparently there's a breeding pair a few miles away on Shapwick Heath nature reserve.

I wrote to the RSPB letting them know about my sighting. The bloke who replied told me that it was usual for them to travel a bit in search of food during cold periods.

So there you have it...my first, and probably last Bittern.