With the first half of the day successful in seeing the Goshawk all that remained was to see if we'd get lucky with the Eagle this time.
Bearing in mind it was still only Tuesday, we would still have another chance if we failed again but I wasn't sure I would want to spend a third time trying. The other group hadn't seen either yet and the plan was that they would have another double attempt on Thursday. A gap had to be left to make sure the birds built up an appetite to visit.
Once again we headed up the mountain only this time it was calm with only a strong breeze blowing up at the hide. It was so calm you could take in the delicious aroma of wild herbs growing, thyme and rosemary particularly abundant.
Another rabbit was put in place, another black one. Ah well.
Within 10 minutes a head appeared just above a rock beyond the bait.
Up popped the magnificent Bonelli's Eagle, a male.
Initially the bird showed a little caution.
Having a good look around to make sure all was correct.
He then proceeded to walk up the rock to the waiting rabbit.
What a magnificent bird.
Now the Goshawk was impressive and a species I had really wanted to see but the Eagle was something else. Just look at those talons!
Once the bird has grabbed it's prey there would be no escape.
Unlike the Goshawk, eating the rabbit seemed effortless and without mess.
It simply ripped a leg off the carcass and swallowed it whole.
No doubt some will think it's unnatural, the birds are habituated etc etc but if they weren't there is no way you would ever get this close.
When he finished feeding after 15 minutes or so he took off before plummeting like a stone to disappear from view. Both male and females flew past together on a couple of occasions but we didn't witness the female coming in to feed. We did see them mating on the opposite side of the gorge though albeit about a mile away!
The wind started to increase and we decided that we'd call it a day, ringing to ask if we could be picked up as soon as was convenient.
We'd had a very satisfactory day. Looking back though we didn't get the opportunity we should have had to spend a full day at the Goshawk hide(s). There are two side by side and usually you would move to the second one during the early afternoon in the hope that with the sun behind you, the Goshawks would return as was their habit for a late afternoon feed. Meantime there were Crested Tits a plenty to keep you occupied. That was a species I really wanted to see and photograph too. Fingers crossed that would happen sooner or later.
TBC
Bearing in mind it was still only Tuesday, we would still have another chance if we failed again but I wasn't sure I would want to spend a third time trying. The other group hadn't seen either yet and the plan was that they would have another double attempt on Thursday. A gap had to be left to make sure the birds built up an appetite to visit.
Once again we headed up the mountain only this time it was calm with only a strong breeze blowing up at the hide. It was so calm you could take in the delicious aroma of wild herbs growing, thyme and rosemary particularly abundant.
Another rabbit was put in place, another black one. Ah well.
Within 10 minutes a head appeared just above a rock beyond the bait.
Up popped the magnificent Bonelli's Eagle, a male.
Initially the bird showed a little caution.
Having a good look around to make sure all was correct.
He then proceeded to walk up the rock to the waiting rabbit.
What a magnificent bird.
Now the Goshawk was impressive and a species I had really wanted to see but the Eagle was something else. Just look at those talons!
Once the bird has grabbed it's prey there would be no escape.
Unlike the Goshawk, eating the rabbit seemed effortless and without mess.
It simply ripped a leg off the carcass and swallowed it whole.
No doubt some will think it's unnatural, the birds are habituated etc etc but if they weren't there is no way you would ever get this close.
When he finished feeding after 15 minutes or so he took off before plummeting like a stone to disappear from view. Both male and females flew past together on a couple of occasions but we didn't witness the female coming in to feed. We did see them mating on the opposite side of the gorge though albeit about a mile away!
The wind started to increase and we decided that we'd call it a day, ringing to ask if we could be picked up as soon as was convenient.
We'd had a very satisfactory day. Looking back though we didn't get the opportunity we should have had to spend a full day at the Goshawk hide(s). There are two side by side and usually you would move to the second one during the early afternoon in the hope that with the sun behind you, the Goshawks would return as was their habit for a late afternoon feed. Meantime there were Crested Tits a plenty to keep you occupied. That was a species I really wanted to see and photograph too. Fingers crossed that would happen sooner or later.
TBC
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