No ducklings in the post today. Instead I've got a few shots of first sightings of the year. I'll begin with this blackcap. A very pretty little bird and one of which I have relatively few photos. It's a small bird and blends perfectly with the woodland background. I struggled to keep track of this one as it flitted between branches, but a couple of times it paused.
I also saw a chiffchaff early morning. Not strictly a first of the year, but certainly the first decent photos of the year. And for once it was singing, so I know that this isn't a willow warbler.
The third 'first' of the day had to wait until this evening. I was out in the garden as the sun was coming down when a lone bird flew directly overhead. These are grabbed shots, and certainly not the best angle but I'm reasonably confident that this is a hobby. I'm basing the identification on the vertical streaks on the body and that it just didn't look bulky enough for a peregrine (but I'm willing to be corrected).
I'm still hopeful for one more first (of the year), but that depends on whether or not I actually see one of the badgers… you never know!
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
RobinL
8 Apr 2011Words, wonderful little birds! I take it a hobby is a raptor! I've never heard of it before.
I had a couple of firsts today too. Plus it was a real spring day. Our first of the year!
gdare
8 Apr 2011Wikipedia says it is a migrant bird, a hobby. I don`t think we have them here :left:
wellisteffi
8 Apr 2011Great pictures. :up:
cakkleberrylane
9 Apr 2011I've never heard of a hobby either. Nice shots though showing the pattern under the outstretched wings. Is the black cap a type of chickadee?
Words
11 Apr 2011Lois, not sure about chickadees, but the blackcap is a member of the warbler family.
Words
11 Apr 2011Darko, that's a shame. I don't see them too frequently though.
Words
11 Apr 2011Erwin, yes it's an interesting way of measuring the year. Which animals appear, which disappear. Autumn can be fun as the swallows flock before they migrate.
Words
11 Apr 2011Steffi, thanks!
Words
11 Apr 2011Robin, yes the hobby is a migrant raptor. They are around in summer months. Very similar to peregrines, but possible to mistake for swifts from a distance due to their incredible flight patterns.
SittingFox
11 Apr 2011I'll pass on the falcon ID – I don't see enough of either species.
Wonderful photos! I always enjoy seeing blackcaps 🙂
Words
12 Apr 2011Adele, having subsequently seen the peregrines I'm more confident about this i.d., though young 'grins can confuse the issue. The blackcaps are pretty little things, and not a species I see very often.
anonymous
29 May 2011Bat writes:
I was taught that the best way to tell it's a hobby is that they look like an overlarge swift. They look very elegant in the air and have tapered wings and long tails, while peregrines look heavy and flap purposefully (when they're not diving of course!) The best way to tell a hobby is the orange under the tail, but only the adults have that so yours could be a juv.
Sorry to be a random commenter, I found your blog while googling photos of hobbys. I've seen them on three occasions since the start of the year, maybe it's a good hobby year? 🙂
Words
29 May 2011Hi Bat, thanks for commenting. I agree completely about the similarities with swifts, especially when they are circling at altitude. It's as much about the way they swoop and turn as anything else.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Wonderful Yo see the first speces back :up:
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Ferry true, Its always lovely to see the first breeding species back In there habitat….:up: