Crows and Raptors

Great action shots, John, including the ones on your own site.  I also love to see the osprey, which is the bird I have enjoyed following on the LG site now for some years. Thank you.

Superb captures John.

Several carrion crows reside in the trees at the back of the house and they are not backwards in coming forwards when it comes to seeing off the red kites which "lurk" above for hours each day. But only one crow at a time goes into "attack mode" - so I get some spectacular aerial dog-fights! The only time the solitary crow has called out the cavalry was when, for once in its life, the red kite turned and chased the crow. Three more crows were up in the blink of an eyelid!

Excellent shots!

When I lived in Plymouth, the crows used to always give-away where the buzzards were lol  I could tell by their calls that they were mobbing one of the buzzards and used to go rushing to watch the action!  Though one time I had a close encounter when they drove the buzzard to just a few feet above my head!  Even now, I keep an eye on what the crows are doing as I find them to be quite handy when it comes to finding birds of prey.

My favourite mobbing though was a sparrowhawk being mobbled by a flock of finches (probably yellowhammer on linnet).  The hawk had a line of little birds trailing him like he was the pied piper!  It was very amusing to watch the hawk with his little entourage!

Superb set of pics again John! Have witnessed this mobbing many times by various birds at various birds, but don't think I have any pics (yet!).

One of the worst 'mobbings' I saw was years ago on France; a heron was being attacked by gulls, and I really mean attacked! They were pecking him, pulling feathers etc... and the poor heron was squawking and doing his best to get away from them (I know herons are as much of a threat to gulls as BoP but I did feel for that poor heron!)

Thanks all. Squirrel, it must be great having Red Kite about. I have no photo of these yet. If you get the chance, have a go, even a long shot out line, of one of them would be great to see. I know how hard it is to get a wild shot of one, it still would be cool to see!

Kat Tai, I've seen this sort of Finch action on Sparrow Hawk, it would make for a great photo! 'one day'

Marjus, Wow, never saw myself feeling sorry for a Heron, but gulls can be very cruel.

I have been for a quick lunchtime walkies and saw a Kestrel getting the Crow treatment, all too quick for me, next time.

Great thread idea and fantastic pictures again John!

If its of any interest to anyone check out our webpage on mobbing!

Thanks for that LloydScott, the link was great, the antics of Fieldfare, new to me, very good info.

Unknown said:

Kat Tai, I've seen this sort of Finch action on Sparrow Hawk, it would make for a great photo! 'one day'

Yeah, unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me!

Really great shots John

I have only seen mobbing between gulls and crows.  There is a house up the road from me that obviously puts bread out.  The gulls come in really thick and fast swooping over their garden and making really raucous cries - this then brings in the crows who seem to wait until one of the gulls has retrieved the food and then several crows constantly fly around and across the gull that has the prize - one in front trying to slow the gull and the others either behind or to the side constantly flying in and out!  I've often wondered why don't the crows go down and get the bread instead of trying to pinch it from the gull !?!?!