Beckton Sewage Works Latest

Since the last post on the Kestrels, all which are now flying around, fully fledged and now getting harder to find I have since found the Sparrowhawks.
They have chosen to nest this year in a really inaccessible position, I can hear the young calling and have seen the adults coming and going regularly to this particular tree. Will hopefully get some photos when they become mobile and start showing themselves outside of the nest.

In regards to photos, I am using 70-200mm lens at the moment, the Nikon 200 – 500mm F5.6 broke unfortunately and seized up at 400mm.

Taken into Fixation on June 3rd, have been told that Nikon UK, Nikon Europe and Nikon Japan do not have the part so still waiting.
Was told impact damage, but have never dropped it and now having done a bit of research on the Forums, found the exact same thing has happened to others as well.

Very frustrating, especially at £377.00 and only 2 years old from new, it’s not something I would expect from Nikon and obviously a little suspicious, when 3 Nikon organisations have all run out of the same spare part.

Have stated my case to them but getting nowhere at the moment.

Enough of that and rant over, the pair of Common Buzzards are still summering on site holding to a particular area but as yet can see no evidence of breeding. Giving them plenty of space and watching distantly from the car they seem bullet proof when it comes to the local Crows. Mobbed wherever they go, they seemingly just ignore them only occasionally reacting, incredibly thick skinned Raptors.

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Enjoying the sun

Adult Kittiwake in June - very unusual

One thing that has come from the lens failure is that I have been using the 105mm Macro lens more on Dragons/Butterflies, good fun and some of the shots are not too shabby.

Harbour Seal with Flattie

Common Tern

Pollen covered Bee

Southern Hawker hopefully

Black Tailed Skimmer

Either female Common Blue or Brown Argus?

Emerald Damselfly

Large Skipper

Spain - El Torcel Final Day

El Torcel – Hoz De Marin 


May 3rd



Finally got round to posting this.

I have never been to either site before so was really looking forward to the trip, more ticks beckoned for Lee and Mart as we set off again early a.m.

In talking to Luis he said we have to get to El Torcel early as the crowds and school trips descend, however we got out even earlier at dawn in search of Eagle Owl at another site.
In walking up the side of a mountain we came across a Wild Boar family, good to see and quite impressive animals with piglets in tow as well.

As the light increased we did pick up calling Eagle Owl but try as we might, could not pick it out on the sides of the Mountain, Griffon Vultures, many Chough’s, Cuckoo, Blue Rock Thrush, Spanish Ibyx and a solitary Alpine Swift but no Bubo bubo.

We picked up Thekla Lark on the way down as we headed for El Torcel.

Eagle Owl was up there somewhere.

El Torcel is very spectacular it has to be said, the rock formations were very impressive and my little legs got up and down the boulders well as we explored the ranges. 

El Torcel

Man at C & A

On the road up we had already ticked Northern and Black Eared Wheatear, a large Raptor was briefly seen on the way up disappearing which on size looked good for Bonelli’s/Short Toed Eagle but not good enough views to clinch. 

Black Redstarts were absolutely everywhere as was Blue Rock Thrush and we then started to add more speciality species like Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting and Cirl Bunting amongst the commoner birds like Serin etc.

We then saw a number of Melodious Warblers before coming across Western Sub Alpine and Western Orphean Warblers, singles of each which were very welcome and also added to our trip list.

On the way out we saw a distant Black Wheatear, another needed for the trip and destined to be the only one we saw and also picked up another Black Eared Wheatear.

Griffon Vultures were on the move so we drove to a good look out spot and were rewarded after 20 minutes with a Bonelli’s Eagle, a life tick for Mart and Lee no less.

Sardinian Warbler

Rock Bunting

Cirl Bunting

Blue Rock Thrush

Melodious Warbler

Black Redstart

Rock Bunting

Western Subalpine Warbler

Black Eared Wheatear

Bonelli's Eagle

Bonelli's Eagle

El Torcel was a great place but you have to be early before the hordes arrive. 

From El Torcel we then headed to Hoz De Marin



This is a very long wooded Valley with a stream down the middle, by now the heat was really building as we explored.

Right from the start it was apparent that this was an Azure Winged Magpie stronghold, we saw quite a few but always distant unfortunately, they are a smart bird and it would have been good to have got a decent photo of one.
We added Firecrest, Short Toed Treecreeper to the list and if I recall correctly we saw another Western Orphean Warbler, also picked up more Red Rumped Swallows along with a Booted Eagle overhead.

We also heard a Green Woodpecker, whether or not it was of the Iberian race I couldn’t say, the call sounded just the same to me, not even sure if it is meant to be different?

As we started the walk back in some serious heat I could see Mart and Lee flagging, youngsters have no stamina these days; it probably comes from being office boys.

Getting left behind again - lovely Valley

We didn’t get anymore ticks not surprisingly, the birds were the sensible ones seeking the shade as we finished but ended the 3 days on 153 species. 

This far outstripped my previous estimations and I have to say we worked hard on the 1st day total of 75, the 2nd day at Osuna was very special and we got the total up to 122 and the last day added 31.

I don’t think we missed too many Spanish specialities, Rock Thrush we were unlucky with as there pretty regular at El Torcel, Golden Eagle being another along with Pin Tailed Sand Grouse, Western Bonelli’s Warbler and Scops Owl.

However we were all more than happy with the birds seen, a lot of ticks for Mart and Lee and we all had a great time doing it, the boys were great company, hopefully more of the same in September – Tarifa again calls.

Battersea Power Station

 May – Nature in the Raw. 

From the previous update you will know that a lot has happened in the previous time period which was beyond the norm regarding a peregrine relationship, eggs were also laid, to be precise 5 of them which is a special event in itself.

During May the status quo of the triangular relationship was maintained, the adult Falcon, her immature offspring from 2018 and the adult Tiercel who resides to the east of the Power Station.

Tiercel clashes were more or less daily as the adult tried to take his rightful place on site, the fact of the matter is, that the immature was possibly stronger and more dominant likely regarding himself as being territorial.

Having watched them both clash now on a number of occasions over May and June it was apparent that the same scenario must be played out daily; it certainly was every time I visited. To this day they continue to clash, on a visit on Sunday (June 16th) they clashed twice over the course of the morning. Some serious dives at each other and obviously chasing but it seems neither will commit to engage as it will likely mean injury to one or both.

How long this will go on for I don’t know, during all the clashes I have seen the Falcon does not interfere or call at all, I have seen no reaction from her – possibly waiting to see who is the stronger?

The 5 eggs were laid late – the 1st on April 9th with the 5th laid on April 18th, quite late in London terms but not so surprising given the complexity of the relationship.

As previously mentioned the Falcon flies to the east, copulates with the adult Tiercel and then returns, the Tiercel staying in situ further east with the immature Tiercel territorial on the Power Station no doubt watching.

On May 25th 2 eggs hatched and thereafter 2 more followed by May 27th so all looking good although overdue, 4 chicks so far, from the earlier post due to the ‘long distance’ relationship I had always thought that fertility may be an issue.

However from this point – May 27th events changed and the immature Tiercel showed his inexperience sadly.

Unfortunately and tragically he spiked 3 of the chicks and not surprisingly all died, the 4th however was knocked out of the scrape by the Falcon, not big enough to get back in the scrape it died of exposure. It was very unfortunate by her and completely out of character, I have watched her on CCTV since 2013 and she has been a brilliant mother. I would put her clumsiness down to the situation they were in, it was not normal being a 3 pronged relationship and may well have added to her stress levels hence the uncharacteristic kick.

Indeed their breeding record since Construction began on the Power Station site, around 2013, has shown far greater success during the shorter building period than before the longer period of when the Power Station was empty.

From 2000 to 2012 over a 13 year period they produced 14 juveniles whilst the site was empty with little or no activity in it.

Contrast this with the period from 2013 to 2019 over a 7 year period they have produced 18 juveniles whilst Construction is in full flow, to say they have adapted to the Construction has been an understatement.


What happened with the chicks was very sad and tragic but you have to remember this is nature, sometimes it doesn’t always go to plan, the immature should have been long gone but with the disappearance of his Dad there was no reason for him to go.

With the arrival of the new adult Tiercel, even he could not displace him and during all of this the Falcon has not interfered perhaps seeing who will become dominant, surely they can’t go on like this or can they?

I remember thinking this a good few months back.

A good Saturday

Peregrines


I was out early, 4.30a.m ish, anyone connected with Peregrines will tell you that more often than not the most activity, especially with juveniles, usually happens at dawn, hence silly o'clock. It helps if you have no common sense or what constitutes normality, my wife Christine puts up with my ungodly hours well.

Anyway after checking 3 sites firstly, all good with juveniles I arrived at the 4th, this was the site I was especially concerned with, there were 4 juveniles and all had fledged in the recent rain during the week. Two of the juveniles, a male and a female I knew were ok as I had seen them on the CCTV returning to the nest site. The other 2 I had seen the other day, lower down on 2 storey building’s hunkered down in the rain, there was no way to retrieve them to get them back up high.

I know this is the way of things, but with constant rain over 2-3 days, thoughts were they wouldn’t be able to get back up to height where they will be fed, the adults at this low height will not come down and feed them. It’s a double edge sword, the rain and lack of food will weaken them and they need the strength to get back up there. The adult Falcon was also attacking any Carrion Crow or Lesser Black Backed Gull who ventured near them but that was the extent of her involvement, they were on their own.

So it was with a sense of dread that I arrived at the site on Saturday morning, had the 2 succumbed or simply disappeared to Foxes or had they managed to get back up?

To my surprise and immense relief on arrival, there were the 4 juveniles sitting atop nest site tower block, 3 males and a bigger female.

It made my morning and as I later watched the adult Falcon with prey leading the 4 around in a first come first served scenario, also teaching them, the noise was unbelievable, it made all the hard work by everyone involved in this site to get them to this stage thoroughly worthwhile and so rewarding.

I know I am a bit of a mother hen but where would we be without a bit of passion?



Kestrels


I received a call on Monday the 10th from Thameswater Beckton that 2 of the 4 juvenile’s had fledged in torrential rain and grounded, although the adult Kestrel was doing her best to defend them, the local Crows and Magpies had found them both.

The 4 at an earlier stage pre fledging

Thoroughly soaked through, cold and not looking to good, the staff had managed to get one in a box but the 2nd was still at large.
Luckily we found it trying to hide under a bush, it was weak, laying down flat, soaked through and not showing a lot of life, I just walked over and picked it up.

Both were then taken to Sue and Tom at the SEWH where they were checked over for injuries and found to both have a fungal infection in the throat.
Anyway after a course of tablets, warmth, exercise and the all important food both were ready to go back on Saturday 15th.
They were both totally different birds, the trick now as I arrived back at Beckton would be to locate the adult(s) or the other 2 siblings.

Bigger female left, both ready for release

Male

Driving round near the nest site, as luck would have it the adult female Kestrel flew over the car and then promptly fed the other 2 siblings sitting on a pylon.

I released them both quickly, the male juvenile flew straight to the other 2 siblings and the female went straight to a high tree, the adult Kestrel had also seen them so the visual connection was made.

I watched for another 30 minutes and the released female juvenile was then consequently joined by the other 3 juveniles in the tree so a good result all round.

Family Reunited

Following on from the ‘Grounders’ post, the plan last Saturday, was to get the 2nd juvenile back with its sibling previously released on June 4th near the nest site under licence.

Juvenile ready to go back

If you recall on the Saturday June 8th it was exceptionally windy, obviously I was a bit concerned on the release, I was hoping the little chap would not fly and just sit around and take it all in first.

However circumstances dictated that we had to go with the Saturday so we pressed on.

After being ringed by Paul and Shaun I released the juvenile back from the box, the Falcon was circling which was good, it’s always good to have a visual connection to the juv, we had also seen the first juvenile on another building so we also knew it wasn’t present at the nest site.

Getting ready for ringing

Shaun and Paul putting the rings on, I have to work them a bit but there getting the hang of it.

Ready to go

However the little chap had other ideas and went for it on release, no doubt he could feel the wind whistling through the release box.
He turned into the wind and went up and after a short while he landed on an even higher building, the Falcon was watching him so all looked ok.

It’s always a bit of a concern on release, most won’t fly straight away and will take in their surroundings but this little chap had other ideas.

On Sunday I went back to have a look, very relieved to see both juveniles together on another building with the Falcon nearby so a good ending and a big thanks to the public who found them both.

As ever the South Essex Wildlife Hospital team did a great job, the juveniles always go back healthier and well fed, over the years we must have returned 20 back to their respective parents, or in some cases foster parents.

Also thanks to my 2 mates Shaun and Paul in helping out and doing the ringing, both juveniles are now green ringed so hopefully when they branch out on there own they will be seen in the future.

'Grounders'

It’s that time of year again, with 15 sites to monitor, obviously not all successfully breeding but a majority are, it’s inevitable that some will mess up on their maiden flights.

The first this year was on May 24th, this was dealt with and relocated back up to a high point by Paul, he also ringed the juvenile with a green ring. We use these at 2 other sites for normal ringing and have been for the last 5 years, however this year, given the number of annual grounders; we decided to put a green ring on them where possible.

On Tuesday June 4th we relocated one of 2 siblings; the other is still being looked after by the Wildlife Hospital and hope to release it by Friday, however yesterdays release went well.
As I have said before Sue, Tom and all the staff do an incredible job at the Hospital, if you want to give money to a great cause this is it people.

As the only siblings and both down, I always try and get them back asap to make sure the adults are firstly, still present and secondly the bond to young is still retained, the sooner the better.
On release on Tuesday, adults were present which is half the battle, you need visual contact, the juvenile flew straight away and strongly quite surprisingly.

The 2 siblings - one now back with its parents

Hope to get this chap back by Friday

'DA' ringed and ready for release

Ready to go - note juveniles amazement at the size of my hooter.

When we got back to ground level we could not locate it but suspected it was on another building going on adult behaviour so I returned the keys and came back around 30 minutes later.

As soon as I arrived back I could hear it, a short time later out it came and flew quite good, even doing a mock ‘attack’ on the side of the building before heading to another building and landing relatively well. All this time both adults were watching it which was good, what surprised me however was how well it was flying.

It was quite windy which was good, plenty of lift which made flying a lot easier, as I have said before hot windless days are usually not good, hopefully more of the same at the end of the week and the family will be complete again.