07.06.12. Falco subbuteo by Frank Whitney
Frank Whitney’s selection of images below from a remarkable event that occurred for him and his birding mate Graham last summer. Hobby sightings over the years have increasingly become a regular addition to the summer scene on the marsh and last year was no exception. But unlike previous years they have never been so bold and have provided several birders with some really good photographs. Frank was at the right place at the right time to not only witness the interaction between two sub-adult Hobbies with a recently captured Swift but to get so close to get these pictures. Below is Frank’s account of the observation.
While searching for the Ring-necked Duck , after a fruitless search with the darkening skies we decided to give up the search and made our way from the Weaver Bend back to the tanks when we spotted what appeared to be a plastic bag flapping in the breeze, we quickly realised that it was a bird of prey and even better that it was not one, but two birds. It was quite dark by this time but I tried to take some pictures through the window , this didn’t seem to disturb them so I got out of the passenger side while my mate Graham drove slowly towards the two birds but they were so intent on their prey that they gave me only a cursory glance and eventually I was stood about 3 feet from one of them and had to leave it still sat with its lunch , probably a Swift ,one of the highlights of the whole year.
Frank Whitney
