Dorset Raptor Study Group
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dorsetraptors.bsky.social
Dorset Raptor Study Group
@dorsetraptors.bsky.social
Aims to further knowledge and protection of birds of prey and owls in the county of Dorset, with a special interest in Hobby. Support us at drsg.co.uk
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October 30, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The resident adult Poole peregrines were displaying to each other in the high nest box a couple of days ago. Day length is approx. the same as pre-breeding/Spring. The juvenile male (HG) from this year's brood continues to be a 'stay-at-home' bird.
October 17, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Was out yesterday checking on some fledged hobby chicks from a brood we ringed on an urban fringe heathland site. All three chicks doing well. Won't be long before they head off on migration. The latest I have seen a family still at this site is 6th Oct. but most will be gone 2 weeks before this.
September 8, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The trials of life in a Hobby nest!

As the last to fledge, there's always a battle at mealtimes. Today, an older chick wrestled the food off its sibling, 'mantling' to keep it for itself. Ever resourceful, the youngest snuck in underneath - can you spot him? Read on at:
drsg.co.uk/f/life-in-a-...
September 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
First wild White-tailed eagle to fledge in Dorset for 240 years

Watching eagles has been amazing. With such a complex habitat mosaic, the forests in Dorset are able to support a whole range of specialist and rare species. See link more eagle info & congratulations to @forestryengland.bsky.social.
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September 2, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Reposted by Dorset Raptor Study Group
Wonderful news this evening! A pair of Montagu's Harrier has bred at a secret location in England this summer, the RSPB has announced:
Montagu's Harrier pair successfully breeds in England
A pair of Montagu's Harrier, Britain’s rarest breeding bird, have successfully raised four chicks at a secret site in England, the first UK nesting success since 2019. Monitored by the RSPB and a farmer, the rare birds' return offers hope for the species' future in Britain.
bit.ly
July 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Sadly we have to report that today a Goshawk came calling to the live Hobby nest. Nature is incredible & hard at times. Goshawks are also amazing. We've learned loads about the lives of these heathland Hobbies & thanks for your support Read on: drsg.co.uk/f/a-goshawk-...
@forestryengland.bsky.social
A Goshawk came calling
Today on camera, two worlds collided when a Goshawk came calling
drsg.co.uk
August 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
We recently ringed the 2 hobby chicks at the Dorset Live Hobby nest camera. Video link: youtu.be/h1XWCEbYKZs
Please visit www.drsg.co.uk to donate to our voluntary study group. Thanks. @forestryengland.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @raptoraidjimmi.bsky.social
August 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Curious about why our live-stream wild Hobbies have a man-made nest? Do they not build their own? Read on for all the answers…
drsg.co.uk/f/the-lowdow...
@forestryengland.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @raptoraidjimmi.bsky.social
The lowdown on Hobby nests
Why has the hobby got a man-made nest? Do they not build their own? Read on for all the answers!
drsg.co.uk
August 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Hobby chick ringing season is well under way. 3 chicks approx 18 days old on an urban fringe heathland site Dorset. Also a wood pigeon nest 5 feet from the hobbies. WP purposefully nest close to hobbies to gain extra protection as hobbies defend the nest area from other predators.
July 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Dorset LIVE Hobby nest camera going good. Two chicks feeding well and growing FAST. Visit drsg.co.uk/f/a-peek-beh... to read a blog about the process of setting up and installing a camera system for hobbies.
July 27, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Dorset LIVE Hobby nest camera is fully live! Please visit DRSG.co.uk to read blogs and find the 'go-fund-me' link. Enjoy! camstreamer.com/redirect/j4D... @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
July 19, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The Dorset LIVE Hobby nest camera eggs have hatched! Read about it here drsg.co.uk/f/hobby-chic.... The live stream will go public tomorrow. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 8:53 PM
At last we are delighted to share with you this year's LIVE Hobby nest camera from a site within the Forestry England South Forest District. To view the live stream visit our website blog and click on the image. Enjoy! drsg.co.uk/f/fabulous-f... @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social
Fabulous falcons go live!
2025 Hobby nest cam now live
drsg.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Poole peregrines. Yesterday evening and this morning 3 juveniles and both adults accounted for. One juvenile female hasn't been seen/found during this period...fingers crossed she reappears. The other 3 juveniles are doing well, strong on the wing, exploring and escaping from balconies unaided!
June 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Poole peregrines, rescue #2 this morning (female HD). Released back on the roof and flew strongly away. Once again thanks to Stonewater (housing) for facilitating access. Fingers crossed this won't happen again!
June 17, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Poole peregrines, the adult female is now bringing most prey to the wooden nest box. The adult male has been nest scraping in this box and two of the juveniles (DZ female and HG male) have been roosting in it.
June 16, 2025 at 6:57 AM
We now know that all 4 of the juvenile peregrines in Poole have taken maiden flights. One (female HF) got stuck in a tricky spot for 24 hours. Many thanks to Stonewater (housing) for facilitating access over the weekend to help get this bird back on the roof.
June 16, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Two days ago I climbed the tallest tree I ever have to build an osprey nest for the Devon Osprey Partnership CIC. A Monterey Pine 118 feet tall. Previous tall trees were, 110 feet (Redwood, Canford School.) and the Carey osprey nest 108 feet, trimmed to 105 feet (Balsam Fir).
June 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I ringed a brood of 4 kestrels yesterday and one of them had a white talon. I've ringed approx 1200 kestrels in my career and never seen this before (lack of melanin).
June 13, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Poole peregrines all doing well. Monitored frequently by a good team of local watchers. One juvenile was confirmed to have fledge successfully yesterday, the one male HG. He has been AWOL for 24 hours but returned this morning....right infront of the camera! Just the three sisters to fledge now.
June 13, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Checked some Dorset nest boxes a couple of days ago to determine breeding stages of various species. Found polygyny occurring in a little owl box! There are two females in this box and twice as many eggs as normally laid. This is the 3rd species we have found polygyny in (kestrel + sparrowhawk)
June 10, 2025 at 7:29 AM
All four Poole peregrine juveniles accounted for on the roof of Harbour Sails (ASDA high rise) 0650. Will this be the day one/some of them fly?
June 10, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Poole peregrine 'chicks' developing well....exploring the roof and getting exercise....will be fledging imminently. Fingers crossed it goes well for them, we will be doing our best to assist any that end up on the ground. 🤞
June 4, 2025 at 8:58 AM