Dorset Raptor Study Group

Guest blog: Sept 2025 — Dorset Raptor Study Group Watching peregrines can be an amazing experience and now something possible surprisingly close to home. See peregrines through the eyes of a local enthusiast as welcome to our first guest blog by loca...

Peregrine Falcons are go!
See Hellie's fabulous guest blog on our shiny new website!
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @uptonpictures.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

A fresh feathered juvenile. Nice.

Yeah, does look like HG the juv male. I reckon he may well stay all winter....we'll see.

Female in heavy moult and male on glass balcony.

With closed wings you will see the little white comma mark on underwing

The juvenile is probably HG, the one male. He has been lingering, may even stay around all winter and possibly into the next breeding season, does happen with young males....we'll see.

Was out yesterday checking on some fledged hobby chicks from a brood we ringed on an urban fringe heathland site. All three chicks doing well. Won't be long before they head off on migration. The latest I have seen a family still at this site is 6th Oct. but most will be gone 2 weeks before this.

Thanks @martinwood60.bsky.social, great questions! Noctules fly in a very predictable linear way so though big, they'd be easy to spot. Noctures weigh 18-40g. Yes the young still have food provided after fledging, though 'insecting' is how the young hone their hunting skills, plenty insects about.

Young Hobby falcons feeding in the nest.

Young Hobby falcons feeding in the nest.

The trials of life in a Hobby nest!

As the last to fledge, there's always a battle at mealtimes. Today, an older chick wrestled the food off its sibling, 'mantling' to keep it for itself. Ever resourceful, the youngest snuck in underneath - can you spot him? Read on at:
drsg.co.uk/f/life-in-a-...

Likely a common shrew. You were by water so could have been a water shrew but they tend to be very dark, towards black on the back.

Latest news - Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation Proactive wildlife management and innovative conservation research.

First wild White-tailed eagle to fledge in Dorset for 240 years

Watching eagles has been amazing. With such a complex habitat mosaic, the forests in Dorset are able to support a whole range of specialist and rare species. See link more eagle info & congratulations to @forestryengland.bsky.social.

I remember it well!

Great map considering 70 years ago there were none!

Dreamy!!!

Wow!

Hi Ed. Did you get a wing and weight for this bird? Interested. Thanks.

Montagu's Harrier pair successfully breeds in England A pair of Montagu's Harrier, Britain’s rarest breeding bird, have successfully raised four chicks at a secret site in England, the first UK nesting success since 2019. Monitored by the RSPB and a farmer, the rare birds' return offers hope for the species' future in Britain.

Wonderful news this evening! A pair of Montagu's Harrier has bred at a secret location in England this summer, the RSPB has announced:

Fantastic and amazing, a long way from any heath!

Thanks for your support. Yes it was hard to see and so close to fledging. Given Hobby are also predated by peregrine, sparrowhawk, tawny owl, buzzard, kite and pine marten, we should think of the parents as doing a great job despite the sad outcome. It is indeed a tough world out there.

Hi @martinwood60.bsky.social, yes they will be back we hope in 2026. Remember that goshawk are across the whole county and Hobby can also be predated by sparrowhawk, tawny owl, buzzard, kite and peregrine so it is a tough world out there. Thanks for your question.

Thanks!

Fantastic thanks

Thanks!

Dorset Raptor Study Group Welcome to Dorset Raptor Study Group

Hi, we have been using white colour rings for hobby but if you send me some high res images of the colour ring I should be able to help id it. There is a contact on www.drsg.co.uk and www.wildlifewindows.co.uk either is fine. Thanks.

Resident male, nice.

Yes us too. 🙏

Yes, sad and difficult. Thanks for your words.

Is there a blue ring on this bird?

🙏

Will be interesting to see what they do next year.