Kestrels

I I

idahoblues

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I've been a birder my whole life but really love raptors, we have a fine variety around here and I can sit and watch them for hours. Recently I've been noticing a lot of torn up starlings over the yard, mainly feathers, blood and the odd head and figured it was a gosshawk or something middling in size as we've had them before.I came home for lunch today , just as I pulled in I see this starling take off and out of the blue a kestrel appeared in a full dive and exploded that fucking starling, took it to the ground and pulled it apart, the starling schreeching really loud. The American Kestrel is smaller than the european one, beautifully coloured and well ard!

Just wanted to share my story :)
 
I guess it's because the whole valley is covered in snow now and they can't see their usual fare, you're right a starling's really big for a kestrel
 
One of the kids that hung around with us used to climb up the side of the mill and take the little uns from their nests.
Every kid on the street had a pet kestrel. I have no idea how the **** didn't fall and die.
 
Stunning birds. Watched a couple hunting over at Godrevy Island the other week. Beautiful to look at, but ruthless predators.
 
idahoblues said:
I've been a birder my whole life but really love raptors, we have a fine variety around here and I can sit and watch them for hours. Recently I've been noticing a lot of torn up starlings over the yard, mainly feathers, blood and the odd head and figured it was a gosshawk or something middling in size as we've had them before.I came home for lunch today , just as I pulled in I see this starling take off and out of the blue a kestrel appeared in a full dive and exploded that fucking starling, took it to the ground and pulled it apart, the starling schreeching really loud. The American Kestrel is smaller than the european one, beautifully coloured and well ard!

Just wanted to share my story :)
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That's an interesting story. We have bird feeders about 6 feet from our conservatory. Sparrow hawks use our garden as a bombing run to hit the little birds on the feeders. It's amazing seeing them weaving in and out of the trees, flying sideways, all at maximum speed and then hitting an unfortunate chaffinch or great tit. They then like to use the garden wall as a plucking post. They really are beautiful birds. My favourite raptor though is the Osprey. I am fortunate enough to see them often as I fish. Seeing an Osprey fishing and trying to take off with a three pound trout in its talons is just one of the best wildlife experiences. We also follow various live nest cams, particularly the one at Rutland Water. They are absolutely amazing parents and just fascinating.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
That's an interesting story. We have bird feeders about 6 feet from our conservatory. Sparrow hawks use our garden as a bombing run to hit the little birds on the feeders. It's amazing seeing them weaving in and out of the trees, flying sideways, all at maximum speed and then hitting an unfortunate chaffinch or great tit. They then like to use the garden wall as a plucking post. They really are beautiful birds. My favourite raptor though is the Osprey. I am fortunate enough to see them often as I fish. Seeing an Osprey fishing and trying to take off with a three pound trout in its talons is just one of the best wildlife experiences. We also follow various live nest cams, particularly the one at Rutland Water. They are absolutely amazing parents and just fascinating.
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Ospreys are a wonderful sight. Last season I saw peregrines while salmon fishing on the Wye. Regularly see a barn owl, sparrow hawks, little owls and loads of buzzards with the occasional pair of kites. Just wish I didn't see so many bloody cormorants and goosanders!
 
snorky said:
Ospreys are a wonderful sight. Last season I saw peregrines while salmon fishing on the Wye. Regularly see a barn owl, sparrow hawks, little owls and loads of buzzards with the occasional pair of kites. Just wish I didn't see so many bloody cormorants and goosanders!
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Too right on the cormorants. Bastards every one. They cannot eat anything above about 1lb and a half. Yet they will spear larger fish just for the hell if it. I have caught rainbow with their guts hanging out because of these murderous avians.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Too right on the cormorants. Bastards every one. They cannot eat anything above about 1lb and a half. Yet they will spear larger fish just for the hell if it. I have caught rainbow with their guts hanging out because of these murderous avians.
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Me and all mate. Our gillie shot one and it spewed out 3 salmon parr and a small brownie. Sometimes see eight perched in one tree, which they also shit on and kill. Bastards!
 
snorky said:
Me and all mate. Our gillie shot one and it spewed out 3 salmon parr and a small brownie. Sometimes see eight perched in one tree, which they also shit on and kill. Bastards!
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Have always fancied fishing the wye, more for trout and does it not hold barbel? Believe that part of the country is beautiful as well. How do you rate it?
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Have always fancied fishing the wye, more for trout and does it not hold barbel? Believe that part of the country is beautiful as well. How do you rate it?
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I love it mate. I only salmon fish the middle river, with a bit of grayling and trouting on low water. There are loads of barbel, in the old days they would have chucked them up the bank!
The best trout and grayling fishing would be on the upper river I would say. Take a look on the Wye and Usk Foundation. They have loads of day ticket water. If you fancy catching barbel give me a shout in the summer. On our beat you cant fail!
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Have always fancied fishing the wye, more for trout and does it not hold barbel? Believe that part of the country is beautiful as well. How do you rate it?
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I fish the Wye for Barbel at Ross, usually a long weekend once a year. I would say the average size fish is over 7.5lb and it's a prolific river that holds some monsters. My pb on there is 10lb 4oz. Free fishing(course) behind the pubs as well. Although it's only about £6 in the rest of the town.

The Wye is a beautiful river, and I must try the canoeing next year from Ross to Symonds Yat.
 
idahoblues said:
I've been a birder my whole life but really love raptors, we have a fine variety around here and I can sit and watch them for hours. Recently I've been noticing a lot of torn up starlings over the yard, mainly feathers, blood and the odd head and figured it was a gosshawk or something middling in size as we've had them before.I came home for lunch today , just as I pulled in I see this starling take off and out of the blue a kestrel appeared in a full dive and exploded that fucking starling, took it to the ground and pulled it apart, the starling schreeching really loud. The American Kestrel is smaller than the european one, beautifully coloured and well ard!

Just wanted to share my story :)
Click to expand...

It's a 'garden', ID.

Have yer got a book, 'noculars and camera set up. I often go round Hollingworth Lake and occasionally bump into twitchers armed to the teeth with gear! We had a rare sighting of a 'bird' a couple of years back. Can't remember what it was but it was way off course and naturally every bird watcher in the northwest was up there. 'Twas quite interesting to talk to 'em. I stick to my back GARDEN and see what turns up there. The most exotic ever was a lesser spotted woodpecker!
 
bluemoon risin' said:
I fish the Wye for Barbel at Ross, usually a long weekend once a year. I would say the average size fish is over 7.5lb and it's a prolific river that holds some monsters. My pb on there is 10lb 4oz. Free fishing(course) behind the pubs as well. Although it's not about £6 in the rest of the town.

The Wye is a beautiful river, and I must try the canoeing next year from Ross to Symonds Yat.
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Don't come canoeing any higher. I have a gun! :) On a serious note linked with the thread, one of the best places to see peregrine falcons is Yat rock. I used to fish it years ago, until I gave up due to the volume of canoeists, and saw them regularly.
 
snorky said:
Don't come canoeing any higher. I have a gun! :) On a serious note linked with the thread, one of the best places to see peregrine falcons is Yat rock. I used to fish it years ago, until I gave up due to the volume of canoeists, and saw them regularly.
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Lol. Those canoeists are a bit of a pain to anglers, but they enjoy it so fair play. I have been told about Yat rock and the falcons there, and that's what makes it more appealing as I love to see birds of pray.
 
bluemoon risin' said:
Lol. Those canoeists are a bit of a pain to anglers, but they enjoy it so fair play. I have been told about Yat rock and the falcons there, and that's what makes it more appealing as I love to see birds of pray.
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If you lot ever get the chance to fish off Mull it's worth it just to see the fish Eagles, fantastic birds and a good deal bigger than Goldies.
 
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