The Lincolnshire Bird Club

A follow up to Katherines question on fledgimg of the chicks do these birds actually become a meal for all these raptors in the vicinity? I suspect the answer is a most definite yes if the parents stray to far in the early days

I'm not sure that Montagu's harrier chicks have ever featured in the diet of these -

2 Hobby.
2 Barn Owls
1 Peregrine Falcon
4+ Kestrel

but i bet theres a chance that 3+ Marsh Harrier would have a go given half a chance. Happily, the female Monty's is very enthusiastic in her attacks on passing marsh harriers, which can be quite spectacular to watch.

A couple of years ago montagu's and marsh harriers nested in the same field in North Norfolk. As far as I know, both raised their young successfully.
I would guess that the biggest threat to the Digby monty's is still the wet weather although the risk of them succumbing to the elements must reduce with each passing day. The other concern is that a wandering fox might happen upon the chicks. Given that there is not a human made trail to the nest for a fox to follow, there ought to be little likelihood of one making a 'chance' find.
Fingers crossed !

Roy.

I had to mark out a Marsh Harrier nest area in a rape field this morning as the field was due to be cut and in passing found a feeding platform which had amongst other bits and bobs a whole hare's leg and foot and the wings and leg of a Kestrel presumably a newly fledged bird;
once young raptors can fly they are at much higher risk from collisions with objects and getting tangled up in vegetation or man made objects than from inter specific predation; barbed wire fences are lethal but there was a case of a Rough-legged Buzzard (not locally fledged!) at Barrow which had landed in brambles and become trapped by the feathering on its legs getting entwined round the bramble briars and there it presumably died as it was found dead;----I found a Marsh Harrier hung on a barbed wire fence a couple of years back and was called to another bird which had broken its wing by flying into overhead power lines; these type of losses must be the tip of the icebreg but are seldom seen by birdwatchers especially if they occur in open arable landscapes.

Or, the Elite Lincolnshire Goshawk Sighting Members Club, whose members have seen a Goshawk in the county.
There has been a COSMIC failure from sceptics to disprove these sightings.

Dave Johnson

WHAT

In just one hour from 8-9am today (Saturday) the female showed twice, the male showed three times and there was a food pass. Brilliant - and what a pleasant and efficient RSPB team is running the show.

Regards,

Freddy

Much the same this afternoon. Also had a skirmish with a Marsh Harrier.

What time of day are they most active?

Now they are feeding young from Dawn till Dusk.Unless its raining heavy to ruddy hot etc. We have been at various times of the day and seen them well.

Sent to me by David FELD from Grantham.

We went to see the Monties on the way to the north of the county on Saturday (7th July) at around midday, stayed for half-an-hour. Both birds were actively hunting over a wide area to the northwest of the viewing area, although the female was more obvious - especially with her white rump (pygargus!). Other birds - presumably the Marsh Harriers - were also very evident. A female Monty(?) hovered over the road to Digby as we left, and settled on telegraph wires (the bird, not us). A pair of harriers (apparently) also spotted near the road on the outskirts of the village.

RSPB members very helpful.

If anyone's interested (1), a kestrel seen feeding on the ground just to the west of Wilsford, upped as we went past.

If anyone's interested (2), some good snailing in the rejectamenta of a dredged dyke on the Digby road.

If anyone's interested (3), the Red Lion at Digby (only about 3 miles away) does a fine all-day breakfast at a cost of £5 for two, with coffee included. Good food, very good value, and four stars from the North Kesteven Business Hygiene Ratings list. And no, I'm not getting commission!

David FELD, Grantham.

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Andrew Chick
Website: http://www.forktail.co.uk/

From Dave Addo,

Visited the site yesterday and the 130 mile round trip was well worth it. The Male was up flying for most of my visit and the female joined him for five minutes. On the way home a common Buzzard flew straight towards the car windscreen, I had to brake to a stop to prevent hitting the bird. When I regained my composure I noticed a Carrion Crow attacking the Buzzard. The Buzzard then alighted in a small tree just three feet from the car window and I could clearly see bits of down protruding from the feathers on it's face convincing me it was a young bird. The Crow flew away, frightened by the car and the Buzzard left straight away after. What a great afternoon.

Dave Addo.

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Andrew Chick
Website: http://www.forktail.co.uk/

Spent a couple of hours watching the Montagu's Harriers this morning. Both birds on show and performing well for the crowds.

One of the RSPB volunteers told me that a juvenile took its first tentative flight this morning, so if you want to see the juvs flapping around, get there soon.

one juv moved yesterday--

a cold, sometimes drizzly morning, but plenty of activity with the juvenile first showing at 0800 and again at 0900.
0906 female flew north
0930 male down north of nest
0940 male flew south
0955 the female was seen to bring food to the juvenile
1024 female moved slightly
1046 female flew north
1113 the juvenile flopped about near the post, the female also got up then
1149 juvenile moved 20 yard left of the post

Quite a few people passed through this morning, i think that makes about 2000 now; a very well run site with helpful and friendly staff -special mention for the tireless Tony(i actually think he lives there)
cheers
Paul