The Peregrine Falcon seen above was interesting because it looks blind in one eye but still an amazing predator .”Its habitat is normally open country ,rock faces, sea cliffs. Hunts over marshes and agricultural land outside breeding season”(RSPB handbook)Therefore Dungeness is a perfect habitat with unlimited prey.

The peregrine has a lifespan of several years and one has been recorded over 21 years old .It is not considered endangered .I’ve observed this bird many times. I get a thrill every time I see one .This one was bathing, probably after a meal. Below you can see the way it shakes the water from its feathers.

Just look at those talons.

The right eye is not as bright .It has probably lost its sight in that eye. The bird below is not the same bird but, in true Blue Peter style this is one I took earlier.I watched this one tuck into lunch for nearly an hour.You can tell by its crop it was a good meal.Als taken at Dungeness.

The rest of the day was just as good .As far as the new beginnings I mentioned in the title, like a lot of birders my year starts again in January and I have to say its been a good start with 75 different species so far this year.

A far away photo of a Sparrowhawk was great ,Terrible picture. A secretive and solitary bird. Habitats are generally woodland and lowland areas however, I have seen them trying to take prey in my very small garden. They are an Amber listed bird with 31,000 pairs nesting in Britain.Typical lifespan 4years.

The bearded tit .I never managed to see one at all last year so my visit to Dungeness was brilliant .However birds never come close when you want them to. The beardy as I like to call them are once again difficult to see. Yesterday was sunny with no breeze perfect conditions. There were five, they make a distinctive “ping ping” before you see them. The male has moustache and the female much duller. The Beardy feeds mainly on invertebrates but in the winter will eat seeds supplemented with grit on trays to aid digestion

Feeding supplement tray

Male and female

On the picture .I will try harder but the birds themselves inspired my blog.These birds are not endangered typical lifespan 3 years.

I acknowledge the information needed came from the RSPB and BTO. Can you have PS in a blog? Oh well I will add this picture below as it gives an idea of the landscape with the bonus of some Canada geese and a marsh harrier which I’ve just spotted. Emoji needed.