Hobby in Scotland (1 Viewer)

[JTweedie]

Has anyone ever seen a hobby in Scotland? I came across a bird list for a location not far from me that had a hobby on it and I was surprised by it and I wasn't sure I could trust the list, even if it might have been a one-off sighting. Looked online and there are a suggested five pairs in the country and that numbers are increasing. Not looking for locations, just whether you've seen them and if you agree that their numbers are expanding. I had always expected that if I wanted to see one (and I do), that I'd need to go to England.

Scottish Raptor Study Group | | Hobby

 

[Hotspur]

Yes, I've seen a handful and found a territory in Central Scotland that was confirmed the following year. I suspect there are many more pairs but they are both secretive and their breeding season falls outside the normal raptor monitoring period for other Scottish raptors so they are overlooked.

 

[JTweedie]

Cheers. I'll keep an eye on the overall numbers and hopefully come across them one day.

 

[david kelly]

They are expanding their range in England and a few pairs are known to breed in Scotland. As James said they are later breeders than the more “established” Scottish raptors. They also breed in habitats, such as arable farmland, which doesn’t get a lot of coverage by raptor groups. In addition, non breeding birds can be quite nomadic. They are annual, or nearly so, in Lothian but never “twitchable”.

 

[Ian Bell]

I watched a pair of Hobby In Deeside during the months of June until early September 2004.Due to a fear of disturbing potential breeding,I watched them In a favourable hunting area for them.I also took the then Local Recorder and a previous Local Recorder to the site I seen them and I'm glad to say,the birds showed well.It was recorded as a Probable Breeding record for the NE Scotland Bird Report

 

[Ian Bell]

A pair or two used to breed In the Strathspey area but not sure If they still do.

 

[Stonefaction]

Seen two, both in first half of June in 2012 & 2013. In 2013 I decided to not go where I saw the first one (thinking there was no chance of being that lucky again), though it was an option for the day's birding.....and promptly found my 2nd one where I went instead!

 

[jpoyner]

A pair or two used to breed In the Strathspey area but not sure If they still do.

Not been confirmed for a few years now.

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

I bumped into one on Strathspey on 8th July 2009, I assumed it was breeding, given the date.

 

[Ian Bell]

I watched a single bird In favourable breeding habitat/time of year In Strathspey,hunting House Martins over a Loch In the mid 2000's and on reporting my sighting,that Is when I was told there was a breeding pair or two.

 

[Scottydog202]

I was fishing on Loch Stroan at the weekend and saw a bird about the size of a Kestrel. I didn't think it was a Kestrel because it was so acrobatic in flight. I believe it may have been a Hobbie. It was amazing to watch. I think it was chasing a large Dragon Fly as there were quite a few about.

 

[burnie]

I reported one over a decade ago seen not far from Lunan Bat Hawking for insects over the Keilor Burn. I used to see them often when I lived in Derbyshire.