Another trip to Ian Howells' hide in South Wales but this time the target was an awesome and rare juvenile Goshawk that had started showing just the week before. Last year an adult had appeared in August, but I didn't manage to see it despite one extended 12+ hour session. Hence this year I was very keen for another opportunity!
I was very fortunate to get a cancellation for this session for which an early start was needed to arrive by 07:00. By around 07:20 I was all setup and ready. Remarkably soon, at 07:45, in flew the star bird which stayed for about 25mins, tearing into the Woodpigeon!
For a gallery of all my photos from this session, click here.
As usual, click on any of the captions for larger images.
This is one of the first photos I got, before the feathers started to fly and the rain set in:
Goshawk - first shot © Stephen Burch |
Shortly after its arrival, the rain started which I think made some of these photos more atmospheric, despite the rotten light.
I feel this photo captures well the power of this awesome raptor:
Goshawk - in some rain © Stephen Burch |
Crop of the photo above © Stephen Burch |
Goshawk - in heavy rain © Stephen Burch |
After the Goshawk departed early morning, I had a considerable wait until the male Sparrowhawk decided to put in an appearance, first at around midday and then again just before I departed at 17:15. There was no sign today of any Buzzards, that had also been coming in recently.
Sparrowhawk © Stephen Burch |