Deer Stalking… reliable word of mouth recommendation from someone you know has undertaken such stalking being offered by a specific syndicate is best. Like other walks of life, stalking has its scammers. E.G., make sure there is deer, of the species sought, on the land being made available; that appropriate insurance is in place; that there is recourse for recompense if it all goes wrong. In addition, obtain and understand terms and conditions; consider the implications of allowing a syndicate leader to be a FAC mentor; make sure ‘coaches’ are suitably qualified; consider the quality of deer management, the construction & execution of a shooting plan and safety; determine if the land is over-shot.
ovenpaa wrote:Our local Buzzard community has steadily grown over the last ten years and they can be spotted on a virtually daily basis, sadly the Kestrel numbers are down, at least in our area. The Tawny population is doing very well and is slowly moving away from the Church yard, they can be noisy though, especially when one is perched on the chimney pot but regardless they are great to see and hear.
I do have very slight reservations about the Red Kite. It is possible to see up to 60 birds on the wing in some areas of the Cotswolds and they are in our area now. As much as I like to see them I do wonder when saturation will be reached and just how well the environment can sustain them and how well they are greeted by some of the land owners. It is not an exaggeration to say I have seen more Kite's up than Starlings on occasion.
The Red Kite is an interesting one - they have no natural predator save man - so what stops them? food? nope they are scavengers - so will scavenge from bins, dead animals, rubbish dumps - anywhere - their range is expanding rapidly - soon to be as common as the other scavenger - the crow!!
As for the Buzzard 110,000 breeding pairs in the UK apparently - each producing 4-8 young each year!! you do the maths
Just to clarify the twit-twoo calls regarding the Tawny owl, it is actually the male that does the Hoo Hooo sound as a territorial call. The Twit sound is done by both sexes, but when the two sounds are heard together it is apparently, usually, a male sounding his territorial call in response to a female... Just in case anyone on the planet gave a hoot about that! (I don't get out much!)
I think your right - It is just British birds though. I didn't realise the Harris Hawk was an 'import' (googled it...) - If I saw an 'escapee' i'de mistake it for a buzzard (especialy from below). Of all your photos I like the HH best...there's something about it
Btw: How do you ever find the time for all those animals - it must be 24/7/365!!
- It is just British birds though. I didn't realise the Harris Hawk was an 'import' (googled it...) - If I saw an 'escapee' i'de mistake it for a buzzard (especialy from below). Of all your photos I like the HH best...there's something about it 