I never really looked up to the skies, but since working in the gorgeous countryside at Longleat I have spotted such a stunning variety of birds and they have really taken to my heart. Now my eyes are always directed upwards, and I have glimpsed something amazing soaring through the air. Birds of Prey. Just wow.
They commonly appear over Longleat, particularly when the big cats are being fed as they quickly swoop down and scavenge any left overs. A regular visitor is the buzzard, the most common bird of prey in the UK, and they are often seen circling overhead in thermals.
The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
A large bird of prey with broad, rounded wings and a short broad tail. Its plumage is typically rich brown, with a paler underside and barred chest. It soars with its wings held in a shallow 'V' shape. It is easily given away with its loud and piercing mewing call.
The buzzard mainly feeds on small mammals, swooping down on its unsuspecting prey from its perch and is an extremely succesful hunter. They reside in arears of woodland and forest and perform incredible aerial displays when attracting a mate.
The kestrel is another gorgeous bird of prey I have managed to get a glimpse of for the first time only recently, and what a priveledge it was, a pair with their fledgling nesting in the trees above the cheetah enclosure.
The Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
The kestrel is a smaller bird of prey, with pointed wings and a long tail. Its plumage is chestnut brown upper and blue-grey underneath with black barring. It can be found in a number of habitats from heath, to farmland and urban areas.
The kestrel has an amazing ability to hover, keeping its head still, which allows them to pinpoint their prey of small mammals such as mice and voles. They are a common site hovering near roads and motorways.
My favourite among the birds of prey I have seen is definitely the red kite. A stunning and very large specimen is a regular visitor to the lion reserve, and will often swoop dangerously low to snatch the lions meat. I had a very amusing afternoon watching him taunting the lions, as he swooped down they would desperately chase him without luck. Even the lazy male, Niabalo, had a go without success. It is a hysterical sight watching the lions desperately dash around after this king of the sky.
The Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
A magnificent large bird of prey with angled wings and forked tale. The are chetnut red in colour with distinctive white patched under their wings and a pale head.
It is primarily a scavenger, feeding off sheep carrion, however it cannot open up a carcas so usually waits for other scavengers to open it up first. The red kite became extinct throught Englang and Scotland, being confined just to Wales, however a re-introduction programmed saved this amazing bird from the brink.
They commonly appear over Longleat, particularly when the big cats are being fed as they quickly swoop down and scavenge any left overs. A regular visitor is the buzzard, the most common bird of prey in the UK, and they are often seen circling overhead in thermals.
The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
A large bird of prey with broad, rounded wings and a short broad tail. Its plumage is typically rich brown, with a paler underside and barred chest. It soars with its wings held in a shallow 'V' shape. It is easily given away with its loud and piercing mewing call.
The buzzard mainly feeds on small mammals, swooping down on its unsuspecting prey from its perch and is an extremely succesful hunter. They reside in arears of woodland and forest and perform incredible aerial displays when attracting a mate.
The kestrel is another gorgeous bird of prey I have managed to get a glimpse of for the first time only recently, and what a priveledge it was, a pair with their fledgling nesting in the trees above the cheetah enclosure.
The Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
The kestrel is a smaller bird of prey, with pointed wings and a long tail. Its plumage is chestnut brown upper and blue-grey underneath with black barring. It can be found in a number of habitats from heath, to farmland and urban areas.
The kestrel has an amazing ability to hover, keeping its head still, which allows them to pinpoint their prey of small mammals such as mice and voles. They are a common site hovering near roads and motorways.
My favourite among the birds of prey I have seen is definitely the red kite. A stunning and very large specimen is a regular visitor to the lion reserve, and will often swoop dangerously low to snatch the lions meat. I had a very amusing afternoon watching him taunting the lions, as he swooped down they would desperately chase him without luck. Even the lazy male, Niabalo, had a go without success. It is a hysterical sight watching the lions desperately dash around after this king of the sky.
The Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
A magnificent large bird of prey with angled wings and forked tale. The are chetnut red in colour with distinctive white patched under their wings and a pale head.
It is primarily a scavenger, feeding off sheep carrion, however it cannot open up a carcas so usually waits for other scavengers to open it up first. The red kite became extinct throught Englang and Scotland, being confined just to Wales, however a re-introduction programmed saved this amazing bird from the brink.
