It's Only a 'Hobby' - Don't Take It Too Seriously

Only 3 speicies of Birds today, but maybe a chance to look into their 

Private Lives!

 In the first instance a

 MEGA RARITY

in these trying times as a Jet Airliner crossed the early morning sky.

What might very well be joining it in the none to distant future is the 

LAPWING 

which was once a prolific breeder here but like so many other places seemingly no longer.

 We don't search purposefully for nests, keeping very much to the beaten track,

 but do every so often come across one.

 This pair are 2 of only 6 of the species we have recorded so far this year,

whereas in days gone by it has been difficult to keep a tally as so numerous!

 In the short grass and gravel tracks across the

Solar Panel Compound

nesting sites were easy to spot but the birds just are not here this year.

They are not alone in this as the likes of Sand Martin and Little Ringed Plover,

and even though our glass is always 'half full' (but not for long), we have just about given up

on the former as usually the first migrant to return.

 It may have been noticed in the picture above that there are c2 hatched juveniles, one still emerging along with 2 eggs that are about to crack.

If these are all of the same clutch / brood it is unusual as Waders in general build a crud nest on the ground laying just 4 eggs which are usually possitioned pointed ends inward.

 The images were taken across a number of days from a distance that would not

disturb the birds until this

 CHICK

was found fallen into a hole in the ground and worth saving.

Kids, who'd have 'em  not like me when growing up so angelic!

 So we leave the parents to nurture the youngsters in the hope that it is they 

who return next year to procreate........

 LITTLE OWL

 may also be a lost breeding status across the Recording Area but

difficult to say categorically, this was once their nest hole.

 We have heard them singing a couple of times but only seen the once this year,

so let's hope these often secretive beauties are at it again?

 However, one nest we are very unlikely to see is that of the

HOBBY

Always with our 'eye to the sky' at this time of year this small, enigmatic bird of prey is

Hit and Miss

during any return.

Yesterday's find was, as can be seen, at great distance with the highest priority being
to video a species never committed film before. Additionally, we only held a few silhouette
shot, which have now been consigned to the 
Great Delete Bin in the Sky!

We did make a nervous attempt at edgeing a little closer but as it strated

fidgeting we cut our losses and stayed put.

Going throught just about every function

during the full 45 minutes

it was on view

 it will surely go down as on of the

Magic Bird Moments

 of the year!

They don't come that often

so best enjoyed to the full when they do.

Here's hopeing yours comes sooner rather than later!

Trivia:-

It would seem that birdwatcher and inventor Peter Adolph of Royal Tumbridge Wells
had no qualms when patenting his Table Football game back in 1946. 

 Hoping for great success with his newly invented hobby he decided to name it in 
honour of one of his favourite birds - fittingly the Hobby!
So what better name than

SUBBUTEO
which is taken from the Latin name of that bird
Falco Subbuteo