Wednesday 31 December 2014

Who's the boss ?

Finally the roadkill is attracting some birds of prey. Both Northern Goshawk (Havik) and Common Buzzard (Buizerd) are coming over to eat. But who's the boss ? On the trailcam I could see the Goshawk arriving and starting to eat. After 1 or 2 minutes the Goshawk flew up, immediately followed by the Buzzard arriving. The Buzzard took it's time eating from the pigeon. When the Buzzard left a few minutes later the Goshawk arrived again. He was obviously making place for the Buzzard and waiting in the neighbourhood for the Buzzard to leave. It's clear the Buzzard is the boss ! You can 'see' the story on the trailcam photos.

Best wishes to you all for 2015 !! 
See you next year !


Goshawk arriving

Goshawk chased away by Buzzard

Buzzard arriving

Buzzard 'claiming' the prey

Eating Buzzard

Goshawk returning after Buzzard left

Monday 29 December 2014

Finally winter !

Last weekend temperature dropped and we had some snow. Now weather is already changing with temperature above freezing point. Snow is already melting and with more positive daytime temperatures expected snow will be gone soon. Today I spend a short time in the hide. Outside it was 1°Celsius, inside 6°Celsius. The pool was frozen. It was very busy at the hide but no special or new visitors: 8 Great tit (Koolmees), 4 Blue tit (Pimpelmees), 7 Chaffinch (Vink), 2 Great spotted woodpecker (GB specht), 1 Blackbird (Merel), 4 Eurasian Jay (Gaai), 1 Robin (Roodborst) and 1 Wood pigeon (Houtduif). No 'great' species but nice to make some photos in the snow.
Earlier this month Redwing (Koperwiek) and 1 juvenile and 1 adult Goshawk (Havik) were also visiting. Goshawk first at the pool and lately eating roadkill prey. Hopefully the Red fox won't keep taking all my roadkill ... .


 Eurasian jay

 Chaffinch on the frozen pool

 Wood pigeon

 Great spotted woodpecker

 Blackbird

Blue tit

 adult Goshawk

juvenile Goshawk

Sunday 7 December 2014

Waiting for winter

I'm waiting for winter to come, hoping for real cold weather and snow. Last year we didn't have a winter at all. Hopefully this year it will be different.
It's still rather quiet at the hide. Nothing special visiting. I noticed only normal species when I spend 1 hour in the hide a week ago: Blackbird (Merel), Robin (Roodborst), 6 x Great tit (Koolmees), 2 x Blue tit (Pimpelmees), 2 x male Chaffinch (Vink) and a female + male Great spotted woodpecker (GB specht).
At the moment the roadkill, to attract birds of prey, is being taken by a Red fox (Vos).

 Great tit

male Chaffinch