Author Archives: Francis Hickenbottom

Teal on the menu

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

Like other peregrines, the Wakefield peregrines occasionally catch duck and their favourite species is teal. This skull is from a teal taken last winter. The base of the skull is missing because it was badly fractured. Peregrines often kill their prey by biting … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tawny Owl pellet from Wakefield Town Centre

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

Colin brought an owl pellet to the field meeting at Rabbit Ings which I have since dissected and examined the contents. The pellet is from a tawny owl and was found in the garden of a house near Wakefield town centre. … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Peregrines back on the cathedral

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

I haven’t been into Wakefield many times in recent weeks but I visited earlier today. I didn’t have my binoculars with me and I didn’t worry about this because it is some time since I last saw a peregrine. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes, Sightings | Leave a comment

Solar eclipse visible in Wakefield

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

The past week has been exciting for anyone interested in the Sun. Last week, on Friday, I photographed the Sun and captured a picture of a large group of sunspots. One day later, a coronal mass ejection (CME) – a … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Nature notes | Leave a comment

Signs of spring: Hazel catkins

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

Hazel catkins are a sure sign that spring is in progress. The yellow catkins are the male flowers, dangling and spreading their pollen into the drifting winds. It is always worth carrying with you a hand lens so that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Peregrine prey remains

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

I went up onto the tower in mid-January and found that mounds of bird remains had accumulated at the base of the spire, below the favourite perches of the two peregrines. I would estimate that feral pigeons accounted for half … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

More barn owl sightings in Ackworth

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

While driving home to Hemsworth we had a barn owl fly low over the road just on the outskirts of Ackworth around the marshy end of the school playing field along Barnsley Road. This is a new location for this … Continue reading →

Posted in Sightings | Leave a comment

Kestrel and barn owls in Ackworth

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

Earlier this week, I noticed some bird droppings at the base of a wall at Ackworth School. Amongst the droppings, I could see that there were many pellets. I checked the spot on two consecutive evenings and I found that a kestrel … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes, Sightings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Comet Lovejoy

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Francis Hickenbottom

The sky is clear and Comet Lovejoy is very visible if you use binoculars. It will be on show tonight and for the next few nights and it is easy to find because of its proximity to the head of … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged | Leave a comment

Peregrine watching in Wakefield

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Francis Hickenbottom

I went into Wakefield to check on the peregrines this morning. I planned to go in early to catch them feeding but I waited for the mist to clear and I got there at about 8:30. I found two peregrines on … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Nature photography, Peregrine watch | Tagged , , | Leave a comment