Wild Hobby Chase

Acting on a tip off Julian Friese and I took some time today to find possible breeding Hobby in Carmarthenshire.  This species is regularly seen now in summer but only once have we found a nest and proved breeding beyond doubt.  We had been informed that a pair had been seen passing found and then the bird with the prey had flown towards some likely trees. 




Cothi Valley


We were on the spot in the beautiful Cothi Valley just after 10am but the heavens opened and heavy rain saw us abandoning our efforts for later.  We returned at 4pm and kept watch for over an hour.  No sign of a Hobby but glancing up above an adjoining hillside we could see at least 20 raptors soaring and playing on the wind.  Buzzards outnumbered Red Kites by 60/40.  It was a magnificent sight and distracted us for some time. In the surrounding hedgerow a group of Bullfinches also caught our eye.




Common Buzzard



Red Kite

 

Disappointed at not finding Hobby we moved down to the river itself and at a convenient bridge picked up Grey Wagtail and Dipper.