More than a hobby for Dave...

Our Manchester peatlands provide a home or stopover for an eclectic mix of birds, and moss legend Dave Steel records them every year.

One of the most exciting of the summer sightings was a red kite. Soaring high in the sky, these stunning birds of prey can be identified by their red wings with black tips as well as their long, forked tail that has a reddish brown colour. These birds were once a rare sight in the UK but have had a strong recovery and are now seen in many locations. This is a fantastic spot as they’re not yet common birds in the North West.

Sticking with birds of prey, Dave has spotted numerous hobbies on the Manchester sites. Smaller than a kestrel, these falcons are swift birds that mainly hunt dragonflies. The peatland sites are an excellent habitat for these summer visitors, and they take full advantage of the dragonfly buffet.

Dave has recorded various small birds on the moss. One is the noisy sedge warbler, still in song in late summer. Male sedge warblers will never sing the same song twice, as they try to impress a female. Like the hobby, these warblers are also a summer visitor, and the peatlands are the perfect holiday home.

As the seasons start to change, we’re all very excited to see what else David spots.

By Alex Critchley