Raptors seen in the valley

Over the last few years we have seen a significant increase in the number of raptors hunting up and down the valley.  Possibly this is due to a reduced use of pesticides but, for whatever the reason, it is wonderful to watch the birds as they soar and dive for their prey.

Last year a pair of what we believe to be Hobbys (photo on right) were seen hunting half way down the lane.  They were present for several weeks so obviously found plenty of prey.  It was a friend of ours who identified them as Hobby, I could never get a close enough view of them in the binoculars, so I cannot be certain if he was correct.

This year we made a positive identification of a pair of Mantagu's Harriers.  According to the wildlife book of Spain (this is left in the villa for the use of guests) these raptors are only common in Iberia so it was delight to spot them as it is the UK's rarest breeding raptor.  The photo on the left doesn't show how distinctive the black wingtips are but the spring grassland down the valley was perfect hunting ground for them.  They seemed to spend more time up at the top of the lane but made a daily trip down the valley to fly just below the house where I once saw them make a kill below one of the olive trees.

A male Kestrel (photo on right) was also seen hunting with the Montagu's Hariers one day.  The distinctive red back and inner wings were clear to see as it perched beside the road and took off as we passed in the car.

A couple of years ago some friends staying at the house claimed that one day around 50 eagles, or similar large raptors, flew over, which I believe is very unusual.  Another time an extremely large bird passed overhead which we never saw but we heard the wings beat and it blocked out the sun for what seemed to be several seconds!  We have no idea how it managed to disappear in the time it took us to look up trying to spot it.