Blogs

The first sightings of young Montagu's harriers flying at Digby Fen have been recorded. This proves the successful breeding of the Digby pair of the UK's rarest breeding bird of prey.

The juvenile birds' first attempts at flight offer incredible opportunities to watch both the young and adult Montagu's harriers from the public RSPB viewpoint. The viewpoint will remain open until the birds start their long journey back to Africa for the winter predicted to be in around three to four weeks.

It is open from 9 am until 7 pm on weekdays and 8 am until 8 pm on weekends. The viewpoint is free, but there is a suggested donation of £2 per vehicle to help cover the costs of running the project.

Find out more here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant/sites/montagusharrier/

Next Monday (23 July) sees the opening of the RSPB's latest Aren't birds brilliant! project, at Northycote Farm near Wolverhampton in the West Midlands.

The project runs until 12 August and if you go along, you could find out more about swallows, owls, nuthatches and other birds which breed on the farm. Binoculars and telescopes will be available to help you get a better view.

More information here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant/sites/swallows/

Manchester's famous falcons have taken their first flights from their nest on a ledge high above the bustling heart of the city. Thousands of local people and city visitors have been following the fortunes of the family.

The four young peregrines (Sora, Phoenix, Perry and Eggwin) have now made their maiden flights and are enjoying life in the city centre.

One of the famously fast falcons was recently spotted taking time off to enjoy a ride on the Manchester Eye. The bird sat on one of the cabs of the big wheel and went round and round. Every time it came to ground level, people were taking photos of it with their mobile phones.

The chicks were named by local people and the winner of the RSPB/BBC North West Tonight ‘name the chicks' competition was 12-year old Amy Wardle. Amy named the eldest chick Sora (Japanese for Sky) and chose the name after watching Japanese anime cartoons on telly.

Amy received a pair of RSPB binoculars, a signed framed print of the chicks by photographer Adrian Dancy, RSPB goodies, and an award certificate.

In just six weeks, more than 5,000 people visited the RSPB's stand in Manchester's Exchange Square to find out more about the falcons. Thanks to the support of the BBC, thousands more people have been able to watch live pictures on the city's Big Screen.

Although footage on the Big Screen has now finished for this year, the RSPB, BBC and Manchester City Council have been so delighted at the success of the Falcon Watch that more events have been planned across Manchester until the end of August, to tell people more about these amazing birds. Phone 07810 297899 for more details.

All four surviving chicks from the Kilmory brood are male, and have recently taken to the wing.

They will stay around the nest area for a couple of weeks and the female will continue to bring them food while they hone their hunting skills.

Highlights of the season are being shown at the viewing area with regular talks and guided walks until the end of July. Please phone 07899 675131 for details.