Hello
No cryptic name – this is a blog about birds (feathered) and wildlife in the Kent village of Sutton Valence.
I was formerly a resident (like, say, a Kestrel), now I’m just an occasional visitor (like an Osprey). But I still like to write down what I see around the place. Now, thanks to the internet, I can tell the world too.
This site is somewhere to share information on what to see and where, and to bang on about how times have changed since I grew up – stalking flocks of Tree Sparrows, and chancing on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the apple orchards. In time, I’ll probably spill the beans about a Firecrest I once saw in our compost heap.
If you’ve seen something interesting in or around the village, leave a message or send me an email.
Thanks for dropping by.
Charlie
Charlie
Your father asked me to update you
- 20 boxes have gone into Bowhalls. types are for small tits, flycatcher, little owl, tawny owl.
- further boxes to go into The Harbour site
Usual array of birds seen locally- male bullfinch the most interesting at bowhalls on 25/5 and turle doves all the time in The Platt. The birdbox mad is an avid watcher with many spots but is not an internet user.
regards
Phil
Hi Phil
Thanks for the update – great to hear about improvements. I have very fond memories of the allotment area circa 20 years ago – there used to be Tree Sparrows there, with occasional Lesser spotted Woodpecker. Perhaps one or two still around, not far away?
Nice to hear you’ve still got Turtle Doves – not so many of those around either. Bullfinches seem to be doing a bit better gain in recent years. I think if SV loses them, with all its orcahrds, then there’s no hope for that species.
If you’ve got any pictures of the nestboxes or other work at Bowhalls that you think would enhance the blog, please send them over – cpeverett@googlemail.com.
Cheers
Charlie
Hi Charlie, Phil
Liz and I have 2 of the new allotments (Just by the hedge) and lately i keep seeing some kind of bird of prey up there. Its stunning!! just hovering up in the air, and i must see it 2 -3 times a week, as to what it is i have no idea and was hoping you may be able to shed some light on it for me, after some nosing around on the internet i thought it may be a kite, but i’ve no real idea. Was hoping you could shed some light on it for me
Cheers
Dean & Liz
Hi both
Thanks for the comment, glad to hear you’re enjoying birds on the allotments. Lots of happy memories for me.
The most likely candidate, if it’s not very large and hovers a lot, is Kestrel. They like hunting for voles and mice, over rough grassland.
There’s a video of Kestrels hunting here . Does that look about right?
All the best
Charlie
Sorry, that link’s not very obvious now I look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_03F49thJ6s
Cheers!
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for the vid, and think youre right its a kestrel, its not huge and the hovering is amazing to watch, it spends loads of time hovering over the nature reserve section, luckily for me thats right in front of my allotment, hope it gets all the mice that eat my peas lol
cheers
dean