This morning I managed my first glimpse of Hobby over Radipole for the year, only fleeting but I let the VC and the hide know and others were able to get superior views of this fantastic little falcon. Moments later three Swift appeared in the same air space - no doubt keeping a close eye on their similarly sickle shaped tormentor.
A hobby dining on the wing. Picture copyright RSPB Images.
Although their habits differ enormously (and ignoring the size difference) swift and hobby look remarkably similar in flight pattern and silhouette. Hobby are our only migratory falcon; wintering in Southern Africa and breeding as far north as Scandinavia. They follow the seasons latitudinally to coincide with hatches of large flying insects, (primarily dragonflies) which form a key element of their diet and which they are apt to catch, de-wing and consume in flight. Other prey includes the odd hirundine, an occasional swift and other small birds, mammals or reptiles.
Swift in every sense - scything through the blue. Copyright RSPB Images.
Trivia fans take note, the table football game 'Subbuteo' derives its name from the hobby's Latin name (Falco subbuteo) after copyright was refused on the name Hobby. The game's inventor wisely elected not to name his game Falco, presumably for fear of association with the Austrian pop weirdo of the same name, responsible for the irksome1985 smash hit, 'Rock me Amadeus'.
Swifts sadly are in a steep decline. To learn more about this and what can be done to help them battle back click this: Help us help swifts
...and other than that have a happy, relaxing, sun-drenched and 'wild' Easter y'all!