Spring movements - little grebe eaten

Little Grebe. Photo: Hamish Smith

As waterbirds begin travel back to their breeding grounds, Peregrines are ready to snatch any on the move. Little Grebes are migrating across the UK at night, and many will be moving back to other parts of Europe. 

This head of a Little Grebe was found in Bath yesterday by Hamish Smith. It was probably a migrant, taken at night as it was flying over the city - city lights mean nocturnal migrants can be spotted by the falcons. Peregrines generally snip the heads off, although sometimes they will open the brain case and eat the brain which is full of nutritious fatty acids.