Very sad to hear that the Red-Footed Falcon at Willington was actually found dead this morning.
A real shame after the bird had showed so well to those present at the site for well over a week.
It is a shame Phil - that little fella gave a lot of pleasure and it did seem to have lots of food available when we were there on Saturday - perhaps it was just too cold and wet.
Absolutely Sid.
With insects certainly being the principal diet of this particular species, it would appear that the bird has possibly succumbed due to the lack of food availability during the recent bad weather.
Very sad, as I agree, it was a lovely bird to have had the pleasure of seeing.
Very sad to hear that the Red-Footed Falcon at Willington was actually found dead this morning.
A real shame after the bird had showed so well to those present at the site for well over a week.
It is a shame Phil - that little fella gave a lot of pleasure and it did seem to have lots of food available when we were there on Saturday - perhaps it was just too cold and wet.
Had heard late on yesterday that the area where the Red-footed Falcon has been seen for the last four days was flooded in many places and when Mr Barber and I arrived at 08.15 this morning the car park was still flooded. Fortunately had checked out the OS map of the area and we were able to find a public footpath from the B5008 close to Newton Solney that was completely dry and only about half a mile down to the river .
The falcon appeared after about an hour taking insects over the water - it gave a flypast before going missing for a while. It eventually reappeared on various posts and trees along the river bank giving lovely views. A really friendly bunch of guys present making it a very enjoyable occasion, we missed the Manx birder however.
There were also lots of Swifts feeding over the water on the many insects present - possibly a reason why the Falcon has stayed.
Excellent views early this afternoon with Alex Jones of the Red-footed Falcon at Willington.
Although I have seen this species before, on the only occasion I did, the views were brief and distant of a 1st summer Female so the chance of seeing another and especially a 1st summer Male certainly appealed to me and this bird did not disappoint!
We watched the Falcon for almost an hour as it showed really well in the binoculars whilst hunting for insects on a bend of the River Trent. It's red undertail and of course, red legs and feet were really catching in the light as it twisted and turned up and down it's favoured spot on the River.
The bird then perched up on a post a couple of times giving the photographers their chance to get a decent shot and a chance to study it through the 'scope.
A Black-headed Gull then mobbed the Falcon and it was not seen for a while, although I believe it later returned again.
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