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May, 2009

Symonds Yat - Raptors on the Rock

Find out what's been going on at the watchpoint at Symonds Yat
  • Symonds Yat - Raptors on the Rock

    A RED letter day

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    During the very busy bank holiday weekend a red kite made a brief appearance but sadly didn't hang around for long. Thankfully today it reappeared and showed really well handling the strong winds really well. Red kites have been becoming more regular at Symonds Yat due to the expanding populations found in the Chilterns and of course Wales.

    The other feature of the weekend and today was the painted lady butterfly. There have been thousands appearing all over the southern half of the UK over the weekend with a few reaching us at 'the rock'. Today I counted 56 in total with a majority continuing their journey north. A hummingbird hawk moth was another pleasant surprise today as well as a few club-tailed dragonflies emerging off the river. These are very local insects in the UK with the River Wye being a stronghold.

    There's still no good news about the peregrines but keep popping back to find out what our peregrine pair are up to!
  • Symonds Yat - Raptors on the Rock

    Osprey passes by

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    Everyone is getting excited about the buzz of the bank holiday and I am optimistic that peregrines eggs will hatch, possibly today!

    What a brilliant day for the birds of prey! This morning the male peregrine was sitting on antlers (a common perch) brilliant!

    Mid day - We hit the jackpot and an immature osprey flies past northwards. On its way back from Africa but obviously not in a hurry!

    No peregrine eggs hatched today but Osprey is a top trumps! Our fingers are still crossed but it is not looking good for the peregrines they are more than a week overdue but mum is still incubating!

  • Symonds Yat - Raptors on the Rock

    Still waiting.... But

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    This week we were really hoping to report some great news about the peregrine pair but frustratingly we are still waiting for the eggs to hatch. They should have hatched a few days ago but there are no signs of the parents bringing in food for the chicks.

    Luckily, a hobby lifted everyone’s spirits on Tuesday (12th) when it was seen hawking insects over the River Wye. We hope that this superb little falcon will become a regular sight at 'the rock' throughout the summer.

    Other raptors that have been making regular appearances this week include a pair of goshawks, sparrowhawks, buzzards, a kestrel and of course our peregrines.
  • Symonds Yat - Raptors on the Rock

    It's Only a Matter of Time....

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    All the staff and volunteers are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of our peregrine chicks. It’s now been a month since the pair started sitting on the eggs so hatching is imminent! After last year’s disaster, we are all hoping for a better year.

    Other birds have been quite busy at the rock this week including our now resident marsh tits. They have been visiting for feed very regularly. Also the nuthatch has been visiting almost hourly, providing a pleasant distraction whilst waiting for the peregrines to arrive back from their hunting expeditions.

    Hopefully, the next update will have some good news about our peregrine pair!

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