Natures Theatre

I enjoyed a few hours birding at Swalesmoor this afternoon with a walk up to the top of Ringby Lane and a very short walk along Hag Lane later.

The weather was bright but cloudy and very breezy on Ringby Top itself.

Highlight of the outing was a battle, on the very tops, between 2 Juv. Peregrine Falcons.

(Or an adult bird and juv.?).

One looked to have prey in it's talons and the other bird was intent on stealing it.

The battle raged on for a good while, with the birds disappearing below the high banking there, only to zoom back into view as they used the strong breeze to their advantage.

After a while one bird came, fast and low along the field, very near me, and grabbed a Magpie straight out of a treetop!

The Magpie squawked and struggled, to no avail, as the Peregrine made off with it - amazing to see, but still a bit gruesome.

I'm not a big fan of Magpie but still felt a twinge of pity for it.

One Peregrine was still trying for Corvid, without success, as I was leaving.

Birds:-

2 Juv. Peregrine Falcon.

Kestrel.

Pr. Lapwing.

Meadow Pipit.

Linnet.

Lesser Black-backed Gulls, airborne and on buildings.

(Probably 2 or 3 Great Black-backed Gulls - some larger Gulls showing Pinkish legs).

2 Swift.

Just a Heron and a few Robin see along Hag Lane.

(Still searching for a Tawny Owl).

Meadow Pipit in a tree

Come on you 'orrible lot

Make a straight line!

(Some pick legs?)

Possible Great Black-backed Gull (left)

Possible Great Black-backed Gull (centre ,back)

This I'm unsure about.

Photo's not good enough really .