Hobbies

Went out looking for swans and cygnets between Arddleen and Pool Quay today, but numbers are very low compared to previous years - only 2 adults and one cygnet along the whole stretch, so rather disappointing. But it was not all bad news - having not seen a hobby all summer, I saw 2 together from the towpath, near the main road - right out of the blue, and only because of a sudden initially unidentifiable bird 'noise' which turned out to be an unfortunate swallow (I think) which one of the hobbies had taken just above me. It took me a few seconds to work out what was happening, especially as I've only ever seen single birds, which usually set a flock of swallows a-twittering. On this occasion it appeared to be the swallow that was on its own, and it just seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The hobbies both then flew off in opposite directions, the one with its catch heading in the direction of the Breiddens, and the other over the canal towards Welshpool.