Kestrel at Bennett's Hill, near Theale.

Not the best of photos, but the little devil kept moving on to the next tree as I tried to get closer.:)

They are cagey little birds aren't they.:)

Two very good 'not the best of photos', Rolf!:D

I'd have been proud to say they were mine!:)

Kestrels are very beautiful birds really, the plumage colours being much more interesting than those of many birds of prey.

Thanks Catherine, their plumage I feel is on a par with the Barn Owl in beauty.

You are too modest Rolf, they are fantastic shots. I have not been closer to Kestrels on all of my travels.

Thanks Philip, how's it going, still getting down to Lavell's?

My first Wildlife Outing of the year was today at Lavell, went to get shots of Bullfinches, as had heard that they could be found there sometimes.
Saw one in a Tree with Binoculars only, then could not get a fix on its position with my Camera so i just took a shot, 3 in fact, of the Tree.
How pleased was I when i got home to find my first ever shot of a Bullfinch, in focus too (Hehe my Camera is that good) :)
The other shot worth comment is the Gulls on a Thermal. What do they think they are doing? :conf40:

Nice shots, great that you got the Bullfinch, that's happened to me as well on occasions, when I think I've missed something.:)

Love the Gulls in the thermal photo.:)

Looks like you had good weather at Lavell, Philip!

Love the Robin and Gull pics in particular.

I think the Gulls are just enjoying the sensation of the warmer air of that thermal carrying them upwards. They don't seem to be feeding on anything, just spiralling round with wings spread out. On a hot summer's day, they often do that when flying Ants are aloft, but they need to break out of their formation to catch them, and it's not such a peaceful (or quiet) sight!

Gulls have some very special flying abilities, have even seen them flying in formation, at night! :eek:
Went back to Lavells today hoping to see Bullfinches again. No such luck. Tho did manage another first for me, first sight of, and pix too, of Nuthatch :thumbsup: