Raptors Galore- Chatterley Whitfield Colliery

Yesterday, on what was a miserable rainy evening, we decided to head up north to Stoke, specifically Chatterley Whitfield, to try and see the Red-Footed Falcon reported there at the colliery.  The weather improved as we travelled and when we arrived it was still dull but not with rain or persistent dark cloud.    Chatting to one of the men, he told us that the area had recently come to life, with Little Owl showing frequently and a Black Redstart just around the corner.  Talking to the gentleman's son, the falcon had just flew over the nearby telegraph pole but would (he was assured) return shortly.  It was about 8:10PM that a small black falcon flew over and I raised the alarm.  It was him, the 1st summer male just  flown in extremely close and hovering just like a Kestrel.  He then perched on the nearby line (something he does as a routine I'm told) giving opportunities for good shots of him.  I am also informed that the particular individual has got so used to human company that if anyone throws anything into the field, he will swoop down and grab it!

Red-Footed Falcon silhouette as he flew in

1st summer male Red-Footed Falcon

After getting our fill of this amazing little bird we decided to follow some others through the colliery in search of Barn Owl; two pairs have chicks in the abandoned buildings with smashed windows and often perch on the ledges.  The area is extremely good for Kestrel as well, with many hunting over us and an adult female who perched on a wheel to fed her nearly full grown female juveniles.  Buzzards and Sparrowhawks flew over too,  alongside vast numbers of Swift and Swallow.  As we reached the spot where you could clearly see the house, a man already there told us that the female owl had just gone off hunting but the male was still in there along with a full grown chick who had just perched on the fence outside the building.  None of us saw the female while we were there and the male took over half an hour to show himself.  It was after a couple had just arrived that I glanced at the window and saw the male owl perched on the ledge and then fly off down the valley, combing the hillside as he went.  Well worth the wait!  On the way back to the car, a crowd were still watching the Falcon, who was now hovering even more in the faint light and still faithfully returning to the wire.  A successful evening all round with numerous raptors and other species.  Countryfile apparently filmed up here, and I can see why- it truly is an urban oasis!