Battersea Latest - August

 

My main priority from a recent visit was to check on the Peregrines, the current female had not been showing for a good number of days, over 9 days checking on the CCTV. To my mind, I wondered if she was ok, or indeed she had been replaced as she sleeps daily inside the nest box.

On arrival however at dawn, neither was on show roosting so likely slipped out to hunt in semi-darkness to a hotspot somewhere, given this I had a good look round the Northern Park and the Gardens aloft.

Pied/Grey Wagtails were evident as usual on the grass/riverside and also recorded a couple of gems in the shape of a Little Egret and the UK's smallest bird, a Goldcrest.

The Little Egret, a flyover, is only the 2nd site record and I got on this late, hence no photo, and the Goldcrest was contact calling over in the eastern area.

A couple of Goldfinch's were on the Feeder aloft but failed to see any others, if you recall there is usually a good flock post breeding, of course I could just be missing them, or possibly they may turn up in colder weather.

Eventually the Peregrines did turn up, both at the same time, she, presumably the same female, came in with prey and by the looks of him, he had already fed, he had obviously eaten well.

It took a while before I could see clearly, but I got to see her right leg and the ring was clearly visible, so still the same female, markings matched as well.

As we know, she is a minimum age of 14, despite her years she is holding on well, no doubt receiving challenges from other younger females, it seems she still has the strength to repel all of them.