Sparrowhawk
A pair of sparrowhawks hunt in the reserve.
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Buzzard
Cheryl Cronnie, a regular contributor, has sent in photographs of a buzzard (Buteo buteo) perched in one of the reserve’s veteran oaks.
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Above: a buzzard photographed in the reserve last week by Philip Knight. And below: a second, much lighter coloured buzzard, this time from regular contributor, Cheryl Cronnie.
Buzzards are fiercely territorial so it’s probable that this is a breeding pair. Their territory will cover a much wider area than just our reserve and may contain several different nest sites that they use in successive years.We know that there is one nest site in the trees at the bottom of the field just across the road from our car park but it would be great if they chose a site in our woodland.
If you know of another buzzard’s nest in the area. please let us know
Kestrel again
Debbie Cronnie has sent pictures of the young kestrel family that is learning to hunt in our fields at the reserve.
Thank you Debbie.
Header image by Clive Knight
Kestrel
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Message and video from Simon Henstock.
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Kestrel
There have been several reports this week of kestrels hunting over Kestrel Field.
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Red kites again
Message from Ian, Sunday April 18th:
A Red Kite appeared over Sleepers Field and settled briefly on top of the Oak in the hedge between Sleepers and Cornfield before continuing towards Lambrok Meadow. I spoke with a nearby walker who said it joined up with another over Kestrel Field; we seem to have a pair that have included the park in their territory!
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Message from Julie Newblé:
I haven’t managed to get a photo but I’m sure I’ve seen a red kite in the country park the last few weeks.
Buzzard
This is a young buzzard, photographed in the hawthorn trees beside Lambrok Stream. For a couple of weeks he has been hunting in the field on the Church Lane side of the stream, where there are field vole colonies. He roosts in the same oak the barn owls visited last spring.
It would be wonderful if he found a mate and nested in or around the park this year; fingers crossed.
Header photograph by Suzanne Humphries
More about buzzards:
Buzzard
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 