Red-footed Falcon at Lakenheath

We had our work retreat at Elvesden Forest CentrerParcs on 8-9 May and the first afternoon was free-time so I headed off to Lakenheath Fen RSPB where I was treated to lovely views of the adult male Red-footed Falcon. It was feeding at the far end of Joist Fen, where it hawked for insects with about 15 Hobbies. It could be picked out relatively easy by the silvery primaries, but it also had a slightly more stockier body and head and a wider base to the wings.

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

Adult male Red-footed Falcon

There were also a few other good birds around; 3 booming Bitterns, Common Crane (see below), Cuckoo and lots of Swifts.

Common Crane

Common Crane