Recent stuff

 

Lots going on at the moment, Peregrines as ever need looking after and fledging has now more or less finished other than a couple of late ones. It’s been an up and down year, literally with grounders, but thankfully most were returned back where they belong.

In terms of the new ringing project Paul, Shaun and myself started last year, it has gone very well this year with 27 chicks/juveniles’ colour ringed. A really good return and well done to my amigos for the effort put in, looking forward to where they show up in the future.

Showing the trend for late breeding Peregrines this year, basically breeding has been all over the place, 2 juveniles went back to their respective sites last Friday/Saturday after grounding.

                                                         Typical stroppy Falcon

                                                               Very laid back Male

One sustained an injury and as ever, Sue/Tom and the team at South Essex Wildlife Hospital did a fantastic job with her considering 3 weeks ago, she had a broken Clavicle. A good release for her on Friday, the adult Tiercel immediately seeing her, flight was strong and sustained as both flew to a local pylon.

The 2nd release was from one of Stuart’s monitoring sites, another good release by him as I understand it and pretty straightforward.


On another note, Paul and myself are installing 2 more Barn Owl Pole Boxes, sorely needed and targeting a specific pair.

Instead of making the boxes as I usually do, we got 2 RSPB Flat pack Barn Owl boxes, not cheap at £170.00 each but flatpacked, easy and quick to install.

As of today, 1 is up with the 2nd due to be installed by Friday.

Watch this space…….hopefully they will take to them.

 

 

 

 

Peregrines and Kestrels

On a couple of sites over the years, I have been lucky enough to observe close proximity breeding, of both Peregrines and Kestrels to each other.

Like Feral Pigeons, Kestrels will not move from a traditional nest site just because Peregrines are present closely, it can obviously be dangerous/hazardous for the Kestrels as I have recorded them, along with Sparrowhawks at a few sites as prey.

Battersea Power Station was where I first came across both species nesting within 40 metres of each other in an urban scenario ,since then, although not common, I have seen it on at least 4 other Peregrine sites that I monitor.

                                                                    Kestrel Young

                                                                       Mobbing

                                                                        Mobbing

I visited one site recently, which fledged 5 juvenile peregrines, this coincided exactly with the nearby Kestrels – 60 metres between each nest site, the Kestrels fledged 3 juveniles at the same time.

Obviously, the last thing you want to see is the adult Tiercel/Falcon targeting the Kestrel young, a couple of times they received the full attention of the adults, but thankfully no response even fairly close.

Its quite obvious the adult Kestrels are aware, plenty of alarm calls every time a juvenile peregrine flew near, also some mobbing but thankfully no targeting, although at times all 3 Kestrel young appeared to be pushing their luck in front and close to the adult Peregrines.

Battersea Latest - June

The usual dawn arrival, I firstly I checked on the Peregrines to see where we are with them, and to see if our female is still with us at the grand old age of 14.

Initially I couldn't locate either but presently both appeared and started to sunbathe, enjoying the weather. After checking her head markings and eventually seeing her BTO leg ring on her right leg, it was apparent that our usual Falcon is still present and holding on.

Despite their crops being flatish, hunger was not kicking in and both were making the most of the weather and just lazing around enjoying the sun, after a while both retired to the north east chimney to continue the sun worshipping.

Elsewhere I started to have a look round for smaller species, it was quite obvious that Goldfinches are absolutely everywhere. It's looking like a bumper year yet again for the species, the Power Station has become a hotspot for them with its multitude of small trees providing nest sites.

The usual Grey and Pied Wagtails, 2 pairs of each, have obviously had a good year also as both are feeding young aloft with fledgers also present at the Riverside. The Pied Wagtail males are catching Crane Flies on the lawns, and then heading up to the West and East Roof Gardens, every habitat provides, both no doubt have nests aloft.

Blue and Great Tits are being seen also, I always look forward to the Autumn check of the nest boxes to see what is revealed, basically as more and more habitat is created numbers will increase even more.

A pair of Egyptian Geese were by the Coaling Jetty as was the usual Grey Heron.

A massive well done has to go to the team of Battersea Gardner’s, for rescuing 6 Mallard Ducklings up on Boiler House Gardens. Mallards always pick the craziest places to nest unfortunately, although safe from predators, there is no way down for the Ducklings.