Three species of birds of prey are often seen over this Wildlife Site.
The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is now frequently heard and seen in the area around the Wildlife Site, soaring high above the woods and fields, alone or several buzzards together, wings stationary, circling in rising thermals. They also perch on trees and posts around Fields 3, 4, 5 and are seen flying low over these fields where lapwing nest. The Buzzards breed nearby.
A Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus) sometimes hunts in the trees and orchard near Downlee Lodge. It is a stealthy hunter, watching, waiting and then pouncing on small birds, even on those at a feeder in a garden tree.
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), an Amber List Species of Conservation Concern, are occasionally seen hovering over the hayfields and rushes in Fields 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and sometimes resting on the fence posts there.
A Hobby (Falco subbutio) was seen once, on 18 July 2021, flying over Field 2. It was holding prey, probably a young swallow, in its talons and taking vigorous airborne evasive action whilst mobbed by 4 swallows. The Hobby is a Schedule 1, legally protected species.
Photographs of Birds of Prey
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Common Buzzard Sparrowhawk Kestrel Hobby
