It seems that if you look up in the sky at any time in the Christleton Parish, you are almost certain to see and/or hear birds of prey. Buzzards seem to be very active at present, with sometimes as many as four or five in the air at the same time. This is probably a family from last breeding season, that has not yet dispersed. Twenty five years ago there were no buzzards in the area, but things have changed dramatically, and we can see and hear these birds virtually every day along the canal at Rowton. Their mew-like call, as they circle looking for thermal,s is a clear giveaway, but they can also be heard calling as they perhaps dispute territory. You might also see them being mobbed by crows or jackdaws.

I’m convinced that kestrels are making a real recovery, with more birds being sighted, sitting on telephone wires, telegraph posts, or just hovering above a road on the grass verge. I had one posing for me in a tree from twenty feet or so a week ago. This is quite unusual as they tend to fly when you approach. Sleek sparrowhawks are very common in and around the village, and frequently come into gardens hunting for smaller birds that might be feeding on feeder or bird tables. They slip silently into position, sitting on fences waiting for the unsuspecting smaller birds to start feeding, before they strike. They often catching their small prey in flight, before finding a suitable spot to land, pluck the feathers off their prey and start feeding. Neat piles of feathers remain as the only evidence of their meal.
Red kites are still being reported seen flying over Rowton, Christleton and Vicars Cross, whilst a peregrine was recently (March 3rd) seen in Boughton, and another taking a lapwing from a flock of 400+ flying over Hockenhull Platts.(Feb 10th) The relatively mild winter has seen barn owls flying in January, and tawny and little owls reported regularly since the beginning of the year.