More mating Peregrine

Our south coast Peregrine were busy mating again this morning,  Well it is Valentine's Day  and this time I was fortunate to be in the right place as the female flew to one of her favoured mating points to capture a few front facing images as the male arrived seconds later.

Mating Peregrine

This fine pair of known Peregrine have been mating for several weeks now but today is the first time that I have been in the right place at the right time to record their union this year,

Dipping Dipper

The River Kennell was lively with white water today so I tried my hand at capturing  a few diving Dipper images.

A very interesting shoot with a good show of diving behaviour from the Dipper and I was pleased with the results !

Roe Deer on the Moor

These seven Roe Deer above and below were showing well on a Cornish moor in the early morning sunlight yesterday and given an hour or so they gradually moved in closer to my cover point, They were all aware of my presence but I kept low and still and they eventually provided me with a nice set of close portrait and behaviour images

Stonechats on the Moor

This pair of friendly Stonechats keep me company and posed well on the Cornish Stone wall that I was using for cover while waiting for birds of prey on the Moors yesterday

Seven Birds of Prey on Cornish moors yesterday

Went up on the high ground for a little more Short-eared Owl action yesterday and was delighted with a fine aerial dispute shown in the previous blog but this visit proved to be about more than one species with no less than six other bird of prey recorded on the day.


Birds posted below include Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, A Ring-tailed Hen Harrier being harassed by the Merlin and a fine looking male Peregrine.

What a Day !    For the first time in years due to the number of shots taken and constant focusing and reviewing I ran out of battery power and had to go home early but I was one...... Happy Chappy

Kestrel Verses Short-eared Owl

A female Kestrel was out hunting over rough grass on the Cornish high ground when she spotted a Short-eared Owl take prey,

The Kestrel immediately turned and dropped down to attack the owl to steal the prey but the ever alert Owl saw it coming, dropped the Vole and rose up from the rough grass to defend her prey,

The Kestrel slammed into the Owl head to head with talons raised and its flight momentum balled the Owl over and both birds ended up in a flurry on the ground.

The Owl quickly departed minus its prey and a few feathers,  The Kestrel spent time looking but could not find the Vole so this time it was   Owl...0,     Kestrel...0,   and perhaps Field Vole..... Won !

What a privilege it was to watch and capture this struggle for survival by two of the UK's wildlife icons !

Hunting Short-eared Owls

The Short-eared Owls were showing well in the afternoon sunshine on west Cornwall high ground.