Some raptors and passerines photographed at Brockholes Wetlands over the past week

November 6, 2011:
Kestrels are frequently seen hunting over the damp grassland on the Reserve whilst in good weather Buzzards thermal over the adjoining woodland. The Hobbys have long since departed south but Sparrowhawks can occasionally be seen.



[One of the ever-present Kestrels hunting over the marsh]


[A Common Buzzard making use of the thermals]


[A distant and distinctly bedraggled over-flying Sparrowhawk]

Flocks of Goldfinches feed on the thistle and burdock seed-heads and Meadow Pipits and Stonechats are also present, the latter often perching prominently.



[A small flock of five Goldfinches feeding on burdock seed-head]


[Meadow Pipit at the car park]


[Stonechat near the quicksand pool]

Young Kestrels at Brockholes, Lancashire

July 31, 2010:
As was the case last year, Kestrels have again nested somewhere close to Brockholes Wetland Reserve and now the juveniles are learning to hunt there. Today there were several young ones but all seemed more interested in playing than catching prey.




They chose a recently constructed marl bank for this and their plumage blended in so well with the backgound that it was often difficult to see them. They sometimes glided but rarely hovered and spent most of the time chasing about amongst clumps of Dock (Rumex).








Later, a Hobby made a few passes over the lake before disappearing again.