All over in a minute

This male Sparrowhawk has been making occasional visits to the garden looking for an easy meal... times are tough and food is short. I was interested to see the particular markings on the rear of his head. Distinctive markings I must watch out for if I am ever fortunate to see him again. The whole episode was over in about a minute, possibly two... then something caught his eye and... gone in a flash as you can see.
You may recognise him as he has been used behind the heading on this blog.

Local Fylde Stonechats

On the road to Oxford via Knott End!

Yep, I was on my way to Oxfordshire (ended up at Otmor and a Black Redstart!... more later) but had to call at Knott End first. I was driving up Lancaster Road on Pilling Moss, very very slowly and well, simply fell upon a pair of Stonechats. I was up and down like a.. well you know the expression, they weren't going to sit still for long, so I was in D and R but didn't hassle these terrific birds. Sadly I couldn't get that killing photo, never quite close enough and always something in the way.
There were nine Red-Legged Partridge in one of the fields and the sky full of Pink Footed Geese going south. The Stonechats were a first for me on the Fylde. Then it was a blast down the motorway and a Black Redstart. Excellent! (Oh and more Stonechats at Otmor... I missed out on a Juvenile Pink Starling!)