Sponsored by
Pictures: Twitchers' treat as red-footed falcon stops off in Yorkshire
Bird enthusiasts were treated to the rare spectacle of a red-footed falcon at the weekend, apparently attracted to Yorkshire from its native Eastern Europe by a plentiful supply of dragonflies.
The falcon, which is likely to have been diverted by strong winds on its migratory journey from Eastern Europe to the warmer climbs of Africa, was was spotted at Yorkshire Water's Tophill Low nature reserve near Driffield.
Over the the weekend, crowds flocked to the reserve as word spread on bird watching websites. They were rewarded with a number of sightings until 6pm on Sunday.
The red-footed falcon is commonly found in eastern Europe and Asia, although its numbers have been reported to be dwindling rapidly due to habitat loss and hunting. It typically spends its winters in Africa, only occasionally stopping in the UK to break the journey.
Nature reserve warden Richard Hampshire said: "It's been over 10 years since a red-footed falcon was last seen at Tophill Low so there was a real buzz when news first filtered through of the sighting on Friday.
"Thanks to the warm weather, the bird was very active on Saturday, delighting the assembled crowds and making the most of the sites plentiful woodland and large number of dragonflies."
A number of red-crested pochards, normally found in Southern Europe, were also sighted over the weekend, feeding on the weeds growing in the reservoir.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
