What's buzzing or flying near you 2021?

Another rarity yesterday, A Hoopoe was seen wandering around an allotment a few miles away so I couldn't resist going to see it, probably making it's way back to Africa or possibly the Med where some overwinter.

 

The Hoopoe are stunning birds.

 

@Victoria Barely a handful are seen here anually but the third I have seen in the last 5 years. Always distant.
Some are, as you probably know, resident in Southern Spain and Portugal.

 

Yes, we have seen a few here and there, but it appears they like grassy areas ... not a lot in the orange groves here! Our friends who used to live here (now sadly departed) had a nest/family of them in their garden near their grass behind the hedge at the back. The nest was in the archway. They were there for years and were not shy to come out with folk about.

 

Today I visited Dunrobin Castle at Golspie. A falconer who owns the birds below puts on a display twice a day by request from the resident Duke of Sutherland. In exchange he is allowed to hunt with the birds in the grounds.



Gyrfalcon


Edit: Saker Falcon


Peregrine Falcon


Lanner Falcon


Harris Hawk




Bengal Eagle Owl


Barn Owl




@strongylodon I'm not sure about the identity of bird 2. Could you help me out with this please and correct me if I have any others wrong.

 

@Sheal beautiful birds

 

Thank you @Lem, they were amazing.

 

What a beautiful place and stunning photos of the birds. Thanks for sharing so we all can enjoy.

 

@Sheal, looks like a Saker Falcon.

Curlew and Redshanks at Arne this morning.

 

I think you're right with that @strongylodon, many thanks.

 

Prior to today we had not seen a red-bellied woodpecker since late last spring, so they must be running out of their natural food source. We stocked up on peanuts and suet to help them through the winter.

 

Great photography Hydrogardener!

 

A mix of waders at Studland.
Little Egret, Oystercatchers, Turnstones, Sanderling and Bar Tailed Godwits.


Young Ringed Plovers.


Red Breasted Mergansers, first arrivals in Poole Harbour for the Winter, three females.
Their thin bills are serrated enabling them to hold on to fish.

 

Visitors to the feeders by the Welcome Area at RSPB Arne. A good intro for some people who have hardly ever seen these garden birds.

 

Stunning shots Clive, thank you.