kestrel

Well it is raining now…but, at least we had a lovely day earlier for a change. The day started when I looked out and saw a bird on the telephone wire that I didn’t recognise. In fact I still don’t know what it was, it looked a lot like a spotted flycatcher but had red tail feathers! However, this was my cue to grab my camera and get out whilst I could 🙂
The first butterfly I saw was one that I thought I saw a week or so ago but, it was in flight. Otherwise this was a first for me and not a familiar sight in Shropshire:

Marbled White

Meanwhile, I was treated to an amazing display by the local Kestral who normally disapears quite quickly when folks are about. But, I walked slowly and it was quiet up there today.

Despite the recent weather, the field is full of Brown butterflies right now and here is Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, and Ringlet respectively:

And, to add just a little more colour, there were a few burnet moths flying:

Finally, as I arrived this thrush was out catching worms so I stood a while

What a great day!

Th annual british falconry fair seems to change venue but, thankfully it was still not too far away. As a bird lover, I pay particular attention to the birds as it provides me with so much insight as to their natural behaviour. I hope you enjoy the closer look at birds of prey.

If you ever get the chance to visit a show like this, it is amazing and a rare opportunity to see them up close together with very natural behaviour. I am also reminded by the falconers themselves about the threats to our world popluations of birds of prey, nearly always from man/pesticides. However, it is cheering to hear down to a lot of effort that some of them are making a comeback in Britain. The Peregrine Falcon (2nd and last), in particular. I look forward to seeing some in the natural environment too.