Falconry Area at Sandringham Country Fair.

Storm the Female Common Buzzard.

I was anxious to see the birds of prey that were kept in the Falconry area of the Sandringham Game and Country Fair. We had a map in the brochure as we entered the event, but I was going in the wrong direction and became side tracked by so many other interesting themes as the other blogs will show.

In the end, I came back to the Shire compound and had to line the brochure map against the pathways we had travelled. It was then obvious that I had been wandering in the complete opposite direction.

After this, we discovered the various tents to do with birds of prey. I have to say, it was a joy to see so many fine Raptors. There were some from other countries. I was, however, more interested in the birds of prey I see around the Fenland on a day to day basis. Especially the Common Buzzards, Kestrels, Barn Owls, Little Owls etc.

One particular man had a Female Common Buzzard named Storm. This bird of prey was an absolute peach to look at. Especially her colouring. Buzzards do have varied colours ranging from dark browns to much lighter forms. I’ve even seen some with greyish plum at distance but I think that is when they are juvenile.

However, the Buzzard called Storm was a smashing beauty of a Common Buzzard. She had such light markings. Especially her head. I had to ask the Falconer holding her what she was. I had no idea she was a buzzard at all until he confirmed it. I supposed it was a bird of prey from another country. A species I would not know of.

Harris Hawk.

Another type of varied Common Buzzard Colouring.

I've seen a number of Little Owls in the Fens.

European Eagle Owl

Peregrin Falcon

Grey Owl

Another varied Common Buzzard's colouring.

I was told this Owl is from Australia

Male Kestrel

Marsh Harriers and Ice Cream

I was off of work today - the second day of my four days rest cycle. The weather was glorious so my wife and I decided to drive out to Hunstanton in Norfolk. My youngest son Ryan came along too as he has been staying for a couple of weeks. There were a few little traffic jams along the way, but once there we went to the little town centre in Hunstanton for coffee and pastries. Along the grass cliff top, we looked out to sea. I took the odd photo here and there.

After the coffee, we went back to the car and decided upon Wells Next the Sea. Another seaside town we wanted Ryan to see. I could not resist a minor diversion to the bird hides of Holkham Hall. I always like to see if I can get a few snaps of the Marsh Harriers.

Inside the bird hide were three men bird watching. They were very sociable and were talking of buzzards far off by a church spire where Holkham Hall Estate is - beyond a line of trees. It was quite far and on the other side of the approach road, we had travelled by car, beyond the marshland.   

I asked if anyone had seen Marsh Harriers and they replied they had not up to the present. I sat down and looked out with my camera as a Marsh Harrier suddenly flew low over the marsh. I called their attention to this and we all four eagerly looked through our various scopes.

I was clicking away with the 70 - 300mm Nikon lens. One of the bird watchers commented that the lens must be good. I had to reply that I never usually got good shots, but was able to enhance on my computer to get one or two shots of reasonable worth. and put them on my blog called Retro Brit. One man wrote it down. So I hope he gets a look at this.

I got about 60 - 70 shots of the Marsh Harrier and then bade the three bird watchers farewell. From here my wife, Carole, my son Ryan and I went to Well Next the Sea for an ice cream. There is a shop there that does a variety of flavours. We walked around the small quayside and then went back to the car and made our way home. All in all, a nice beautiful day out.

The shots were, of course, at some distance. However, there are a few images that are clear.

Crow Hassles and Intimidates a Hawk out of its Territory over the Fens

Another show as a Hawk is surprisingly hassled by a crow to get out of the airspace. I watched as the smaller crow swooped and intimidated the Hawk to leave the area. Perhaps the hawk was close to the crow's nesting ground and it had young to protect. The crow seemed a lot more agile and manoeuvrable then the hawk, but just one blow from the hawk's talons could have finished the crow. Despite this the smaller crow should remarkable resilience and was able to turn flying agility to advantage. Eventually the hawk just glided off. It will come back again. Of this I'm sure.

the crow homes in on the hawk as it glides over the fen.

Then, to my surprise, the crow attacked the hawk.

A brief hit and run as the cumbersome hawk tries to evade.

Job done as the crow flies away and the hawk leaves the area.

A Buzzard or Red Kite?

Again, the Hawk came. To be fair I'm not sure if it is the same one but I suspect it was. I think I'm beginning to know a hawk from a crow or seagull because of the way they flap their wings and glide. Hawks, of all kinds, like to glide and circle. There is a definite signature to this. As I sit in the garden and look out over the fenland, all manner of birds fly over. Swifts, swallows, finches and sparrows. There are also larger blackbirds, crows, rooks and ravens. But then something catches your eye. The strange flap of the wings even if it is a long way off. It catches your eye and makes you stand to attention and lend more intense scrutiny. Sometimes it is a trick of the eye, but usually it is because there is something different. The same thing happened today. Carole and I were siting in the side garden for a couple of hours. We chatted away enjoying the summer afternoon. Then suddenly...

Upon down loading these photos, I'm now wandering if this bird belongs to a falconer. I'm sure there are bells and lace on its talons - or Jesse's as they are commonly known. If so then this is a tame one, but there are so many flying wild. The buzzard population in the Fens as increased by 500% plus since the 90s decade.

It may have something to do with the EU ruling concerning pesticides. Farmers used to lay certain types of poison for rats and mice. Hawk and owls often eat such creatures and become poisoned to. Since scrutiny was paid to this, the populations have began to dramatically increase.

Marsh Harrier Over the Fens?

Wow! At last...

Every time I go out looking for owls or buzzards. They never show. This week, while at work on the refuse lorries I've seen Barn Owls and Buzzards every day. When I take Sasha, our pet German Shepard, for a walk with camera ready, none of the birds of Prey show up.

Then just a moment ago, I was sitting in the garden with Carole. My son Robbie and the Grandkids are down and the summer is coming along nicely after a storm. I'm looking out at the Fens from my side garden and as I'm sitting there all relaxed, a distant bird flies across the field. I can tell by the way it circles that it is no crow or raven.

"Christ," I say, as I run indoors to get my camera, babbling to Carole that I've seen an owl hunting over the Fens. She goes out for a look while I grab my camera. I use the zoom lens but it is some distance but the multiple shots are targeting it well. When I put the disk into the computer and magnify, I find its a Marsh Harrier and that it has something in its talons.

Look at the various shots. There is something clutched in the bird's talons.