falcon – Donich Website

Falcon

donich_admin — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 18:16:45 +0000

I glanced out of the kitchen windows this afternoon as I was making the coffee to see the gentleman in the picture. We’ve caught a glimpse of him before, but this is the first time he has sat still to get his photo taken. He was definitely after the little birds because (aware of his presence) they were hiding in the ivy and twittering angrily, and every time one flew over he followed it intently with his yellow eyes.

He sat there for about ten minutes, and only flew off when T put in an appearance. I’m not sure what would happen if a cat had a go at a raptor, but I don’t think it would be nice for either of them.

Lovin’ it – maybe…

donich_admin — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 20:50:33 +0000

Some time ago my Mum bought me a super bird feeder tree. It has taken us a while to get it put up (my original location choice turned out to be impossible due to an impenetrable layer of concrete). But yesterday R managed to put it up next to the existing bird feeder. It looks great and the little birds love it as it is squirrel and (most importantly) Jay proof. Within five minutes of it going up we had four great tits and about ten chaffinches all over it.

Anyway – that is the ‘lovin’ it’ part. Today I was in the kitchen and there were loads of little birds on it. I stepped out of the room for about 20 seconds, turned round and there was not a bird to be seen. Then while I watched, a beautiful peregrine falcon swept out from a tree, and sat motionless on the fence post. I’ve never had such a good look at one close up before, but unfortunately it flew off before I could get a photo – and before R had a chance to see it too.

So that is the ‘maybe’ part – I can’t see the little birds being keen on its presence, but possibly we will not see it again soon because around this time last year I saw a falcon at the feeder but it never reappeared.

Anyway – the picture is of the feeder after the falcon had gone but before the chaffinches had returned.

Falcon on the feeder

marionmccune — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 13:14:36 +0000

This morning – instead of the queue of small birds and squirrels waiting for their nuts – everything was eerily silent, with not a single small creature to be seen or heard. Then we saw the reason – there was a beautiful peregrine falcon sitting beside the feeder.

It immediately flew off when it saw me at the window – but reviewing the webcam – I think it had taken a small bird off the feeder earlier on.

We are certainly learning all about ‘nature red in tooth and claw’ here.