Photographer captures rare bird on camera

9:23am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in News

Photographer captures rare bird on camera Photographer captures rare bird on camera

WHILE Bolton may have plenty of pigeons, an amateur photographer has captured images of a much rarer bird that has been spotted in the town.

Peter Hunter, aged 48, spotted a sparrowhawk building a nest in Breightmet three months ago.

He returned to the same spot — which has not been identified to protect the birds’ safety — to watch as the eggs hatch and the chicks grow.

Mr Hunter was lucky enough to see the sparrowhawk feeding its chicks in Breightmet six weeks ago.

He stood 40ft away on a ledge so that he did not disturb the nest and caught the candid moment on camera.

Mr Hunter, of Slaidburn Avenue, Breightmet, said: “I love wildlife and taking photographs.

“I have never seen a sparrowhawk nest in Bolton though, so I was really excited when I saw it. The chicks looked like little balls of fluff.”

He watched the birds as they grew and on Sunday morning, he caught the last few chicks on camera as they prepared to fly the nest.

Mr Hunter said: “I wanted to watch the birds to make sure they were okay. I tried hard not to disturb them and it was great to watch them turn into impressive sparrowhawks.

“I’m really pleased with the photographs.”

Mr Hunter, who has epilepsy and cannot work , is a keen amateur photographer.

He has previously sent his images to BBC1’s Countryfile programme and sells them to raise money for charity.

Chris Collett, of the RSPB, said: “Wildlife photography is a very popular activity and with a little patience, it is possible to get some amazing images.

“But it is important to remember that birds and other wildlife can be easily disturbed, particularly during the breeding season. So you always need put the welfare of your subject first and ensure that your presence does not have a detrimental effect on them.”

Comments (33)

12:11pm Thu 2 Aug 12

cosmicma says...

i see a flash was used to take the photo which makes me wonder how close he really was.
i see a flash was used to take the photo which makes me wonder how close he really was. cosmicma

2:08pm Thu 2 Aug 12

I, Ludicrous says...

They didn't publish my photo of an owl bagpiping a woodpigeon. :-(
They didn't publish my photo of an owl bagpiping a woodpigeon. :-( I, Ludicrous

5:53pm Thu 2 Aug 12

xxlukesmumxx says...

i caught one of these birds on my cameraphone in my backyard after taking down a pigeon so they can't be that rare surely......
i caught one of these birds on my cameraphone in my backyard after taking down a pigeon so they can't be that rare surely...... xxlukesmumxx

7:04pm Thu 2 Aug 12

Sirrius7 says...

Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments?
Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments? Sirrius7

7:31pm Thu 2 Aug 12

Citizen Cane says...

...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...
...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time... Citizen Cane

8:07pm Thu 2 Aug 12

dougie kay says...

Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium
Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium dougie kay

8:08pm Thu 2 Aug 12

dougie kay says...

Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium
Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium dougie kay

8:08pm Thu 2 Aug 12

dougie kay says...

Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium
Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium dougie kay

8:51pm Thu 2 Aug 12

aardwolf says...

I suppose photo of the nest may be rare but one was dining on a bird in my back garden last month and flying overhead last weekend while three buzzards circled a few hundred feet higher. Amazing what you can see if you look properly...
I suppose photo of the nest may be rare but one was dining on a bird in my back garden last month and flying overhead last weekend while three buzzards circled a few hundred feet higher. Amazing what you can see if you look properly... aardwolf

1:01am Fri 3 Aug 12

AdeleTeresa says...

Oh how some people can be so petty. It's not fair to discriminate on a persons inability to work, especially when you don't even know them! This is a beautiful photo regardless of what is written about it. Perhaps it's rare in the photographers area? And well done to him raising money for nature based charities. Keep up the good work Peter.
Oh how some people can be so petty. It's not fair to discriminate on a persons inability to work, especially when you don't even know them! This is a beautiful photo regardless of what is written about it. Perhaps it's rare in the photographers area? And well done to him raising money for nature based charities. Keep up the good work Peter. AdeleTeresa

8:09am Fri 3 Aug 12

JIMMT COLLINS says...

dougie kay wrote:
Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium
sticky keys me thinks
[quote][p][bold]dougie kay[/bold] wrote: Not that rare, ask the coal tits and company that use my bird feeders Failing that ask a collard dove. though to do that you will need an ornithologist medium[/p][/quote]sticky keys me thinks JIMMT COLLINS

8:13am Fri 3 Aug 12

JIMMT COLLINS says...

AdeleTeresa wrote:
Oh how some people can be so petty. It's not fair to discriminate on a persons inability to work, especially when you don't even know them! This is a beautiful photo regardless of what is written about it. Perhaps it's rare in the photographers area? And well done to him raising money for nature based charities. Keep up the good work Peter.
yea its rare in the photographer area !
because there are no bars on the nest
but well done peter
[quote][p][bold]AdeleTeresa[/bold] wrote: Oh how some people can be so petty. It's not fair to discriminate on a persons inability to work, especially when you don't even know them! This is a beautiful photo regardless of what is written about it. Perhaps it's rare in the photographers area? And well done to him raising money for nature based charities. Keep up the good work Peter.[/p][/quote]yea its rare in the photographer area ! because there are no bars on the nest but well done peter JIMMT COLLINS

10:51am Fri 3 Aug 12

cosmicma says...

i wouldn't call a sparrowhawk a rare bird but getting a photo of one feeding it's young in a nest is not a common sight but we do have the question of disturbance although i have to say they don't look distressed in the photo.
it's nice to see people taking an interest in their local wildlife
i wouldn't call a sparrowhawk a rare bird but getting a photo of one feeding it's young in a nest is not a common sight but we do have the question of disturbance although i have to say they don't look distressed in the photo. it's nice to see people taking an interest in their local wildlife cosmicma

12:20pm Fri 3 Aug 12

macauley says...

bring your camera to my local peter.plenty of rare looking birds there on a satuurday night.
bring your camera to my local peter.plenty of rare looking birds there on a satuurday night. macauley

2:42pm Fri 3 Aug 12

GrumpyB says...

Citizen Cane wrote:
...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...
So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work...

Nice shot of the birdies mate :)
[quote][p][bold]Citizen Cane[/bold] wrote: ...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...[/p][/quote]So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work... Nice shot of the birdies mate :) GrumpyB

2:44pm Fri 3 Aug 12

GrumpyB says...

Citizen Cane wrote:
...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...
So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work...

Nice shot of the birdies mate :)
[quote][p][bold]Citizen Cane[/bold] wrote: ...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...[/p][/quote]So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work... Nice shot of the birdies mate :) GrumpyB

2:45pm Fri 3 Aug 12

GrumpyB says...

Citizen Cane wrote:
...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...
So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work...

Nice shot of the birdies mate :)
[quote][p][bold]Citizen Cane[/bold] wrote: ...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...[/p][/quote]So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work... Nice shot of the birdies mate :) GrumpyB

2:46pm Fri 3 Aug 12

GrumpyB says...

Sirrius7 wrote:
Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments?
So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work...

Nice shot of the birdies mate :)
[quote][p][bold]Sirrius7[/bold] wrote: Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments?[/p][/quote]So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work... Nice shot of the birdies mate :) GrumpyB

2:49pm Fri 3 Aug 12

GrumpyB says...

Sirrius7 wrote:
Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments?
Sorry about all the same post's, Forum is giving me an Error making me believe there was no post being made.
[quote][p][bold]Sirrius7[/bold] wrote: Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments?[/p][/quote]Sorry about all the same post's, Forum is giving me an Error making me believe there was no post being made. GrumpyB

3:08pm Fri 3 Aug 12

GrumpyB says...

cosmicma wrote:
i see a flash was used to take the photo which makes me wonder how close he really was.
When light shines into the eye of an animal having a tapetum lucidum, the pupil appears to glow.
Catchlights often occur naturally from direct sunlight, It appears to be sunny too. :)
[quote][p][bold]cosmicma[/bold] wrote: i see a flash was used to take the photo which makes me wonder how close he really was.[/p][/quote]When light shines into the eye of an animal having a tapetum lucidum, the pupil appears to glow. Catchlights often occur naturally from direct sunlight, It appears to be sunny too. :) GrumpyB

8:06pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Daz Bond says...

Well done Peter another good photo from yourself.
Just because a person is unfortunate to have a disability that prevents them from working should not mean that they do not have a life. I am sure if he could he would love to be a professional photographer after all if he was just a sponger he would not advertise the fact that he has got some get up and go...well done
Well done Peter another good photo from yourself. Just because a person is unfortunate to have a disability that prevents them from working should not mean that they do not have a life. I am sure if he could he would love to be a professional photographer after all if he was just a sponger he would not advertise the fact that he has got some get up and go...well done Daz Bond

1:36am Sat 4 Aug 12

buck fuzzby says...

Sirrius7 wrote:
Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments?
maybe asinine comments because they're ****..........
[quote][p][bold]Sirrius7[/bold] wrote: Credit where credit is due, this is a lovely photograph so why the asinine comments?[/p][/quote]maybe asinine comments because they're ****.......... buck fuzzby

1:49am Sat 4 Aug 12

buck fuzzby says...

macauley wrote:
bring your camera to my local peter.plenty of rare looking birds there on a satuurday night.
You must live in my locality macauley, I also see these rare birds, most of them are legless, like the OOMAGOOLEY male species, they get their name from the sound they make when they land, the hens make a kind of screeching noise, specially when they get their feathers ruffled.
keep in touch, it's a fascinating subject.
[quote][p][bold]macauley[/bold] wrote: bring your camera to my local peter.plenty of rare looking birds there on a satuurday night.[/p][/quote]You must live in my locality macauley, I also see these rare birds, most of them are legless, like the OOMAGOOLEY male species, they get their name from the sound they make when they land, the hens make a kind of screeching noise, specially when they get their feathers ruffled. keep in touch, it's a fascinating subject. buck fuzzby

10:26am Sat 4 Aug 12

macauley says...

cheers mate.i think you have to make light of this subject dont you?what area?.
cheers mate.i think you have to make light of this subject dont you?what area?. macauley

7:25pm Sat 4 Aug 12

buck fuzzby says...

Hi macauley,
had to make light of the bird issue, some people must sit in the wings waiting to pounce, then strike without a thought of how their negative comments might affect somebody, who after all, only wanted to share with like minded people the lovely photograph of the bird and it's young.
By the way Ilive in Johnson Fold..... I'm a retired HGV driver and originally from Salford where you could throw open the bedroom window in the morning and hear the birds coughing.
Cheers, Buck Fuzzby.
Hi macauley, had to make light of the bird issue, some people must sit in the wings waiting to pounce, then strike without a thought of how their negative comments might affect somebody, who after all, only wanted to share with like minded people the lovely photograph of the bird and it's young. By the way Ilive in Johnson Fold..... I'm a retired HGV driver and originally from Salford where you could throw open the bedroom window in the morning and hear the birds coughing. Cheers, Buck Fuzzby. buck fuzzby

8:50pm Sat 4 Aug 12

davidjb says...

GrumpyB wrote:
Citizen Cane wrote:
...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...
So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work...

Nice shot of the birdies mate :)
, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance.

if a man with epilepsy even when insured suffers an epileptic fit in the work place and becomes disabled why would the company pay out when it wasn't there fault?
[quote][p][bold]GrumpyB[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Citizen Cane[/bold] wrote: ...maybe because of the asinine comment in the article about him being unable to work...presumably not even as a photographer or woodland ranger or MI5 spy? It would be nice to think that folk will bend over backwards to make a contribution to society rather than take a contribution all the time...[/p][/quote]So he gets Employment, suffers an epileptic attack, and this causes another worker to occur injuries, or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance, suffers an attack which leaves him disabled... think before you write pal.. i'm on the sick and want to work but our Government doesn't want me to go back to work so quickly or they would fix me up so i could work... Nice shot of the birdies mate :)[/p][/quote], or even worse he signs saying pre existing medical condition will not be covered under company's insurance. if a man with epilepsy even when insured suffers an epileptic fit in the work place and becomes disabled why would the company pay out when it wasn't there fault? davidjb

9:15pm Sun 5 Aug 12

Dirk59 says...

Well. let's face it .... no-ones' gonna be motivated to read an article entitled ...." Photographer Captures Bird on Camera" ...so, a bit of ' poetic licence ' has been introduced by adding the word ' Rare ' to ....up the ante a bit ....(the fact that it isn't a ' rare ' bird hardly matters when you're tryin' to bolster up a story, I guess ...LOL)
Well. let's face it .... no-ones' gonna be motivated to read an article entitled ...." Photographer Captures Bird on Camera" ...so, a bit of ' poetic licence ' has been introduced by adding the word ' Rare ' to ....up the ante a bit ....(the fact that it isn't a ' rare ' bird hardly matters when you're tryin' to bolster up a story, I guess ...LOL) Dirk59

10:17am Mon 6 Aug 12

berushka says...

No, not very rare around Lostock, chew moor and Rivington, but around Breightmet, maybe yes. I just hope this family of birds don't have any expensive furniture, DVD player or computers! And will they be able to sign on for benefits, their address certainly entitles them to something!
No, not very rare around Lostock, chew moor and Rivington, but around Breightmet, maybe yes. I just hope this family of birds don't have any expensive furniture, DVD player or computers! And will they be able to sign on for benefits, their address certainly entitles them to something! berushka

7:40pm Mon 6 Aug 12

dressit says...

I have a picture of a Sparrow Hawk that flew into my kitchen and knocked itself out trying to fly out of the window, I also have a picture of my husband holding the bird and the look on its face when it cam round is frightening, we see these birds alot round Doffcocker.
I have a picture of a Sparrow Hawk that flew into my kitchen and knocked itself out trying to fly out of the window, I also have a picture of my husband holding the bird and the look on its face when it cam round is frightening, we see these birds alot round Doffcocker. dressit

11:23am Wed 8 Aug 12

Glamourpuss says...

Can I add that I know Peter personally and I'm offended & upset by some of the comments regarding his disability rendering him unfit for work. I'm sure Pete won't mind me disclosing that he suffers several seizures a day whilst he is out & about with his dogs and even though he finds them very debilitating & exhausing he carries on as best he can with his life. His photography has given him something to focus on (no pun intended) and he gets a lot of pleasure from photographing local wildlife. Why would anyone feel they have the right to criticise this man? I really don't agree with these open forums as it just encourages idiots with nothing better to do, to offend & criticise for no gain.
Can I add that I know Peter personally and I'm offended & upset by some of the comments regarding his disability rendering him unfit for work. I'm sure Pete won't mind me disclosing that he suffers several seizures a day whilst he is out & about with his dogs and even though he finds them very debilitating & exhausing he carries on as best he can with his life. His photography has given him something to focus on (no pun intended) and he gets a lot of pleasure from photographing local wildlife. Why would anyone feel they have the right to criticise this man? I really don't agree with these open forums as it just encourages idiots with nothing better to do, to offend & criticise for no gain. Glamourpuss

1:16pm Wed 8 Aug 12

mollymalone1 says...

How lovely. :)
How lovely. :) mollymalone1

10:44pm Wed 8 Aug 12

derekspets says...

not a rare bird seen one on slip road off st peters way get a pidgeon ,the folds road exit, nest pics rare unless u are a wild life photographer and u stalk them , well done.
not a rare bird seen one on slip road off st peters way get a pidgeon ,the folds road exit, nest pics rare unless u are a wild life photographer and u stalk them , well done. derekspets

1:18am Thu 9 Aug 12

macauley says...

you should have seen my photos off 2 love birds.
you should have seen my photos off 2 love birds. macauley

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