Hobby

The Hobby has nested intermittently in the Peak District for the last decade, if not longer, but it is only in the last 3 or 4 years that breeding has become regular. 
This year the appearance of the Hobby on Beeley Moor has been very sporadic due to the wet summer and consequent low numbers of the larger diurnal moths such as the Emperor, Fox and Northern Eggar on which the Hobby so expertly feeds. 
Whilst nesting they are surprisingly elusive and there were fears that they had not bred successfully this year so it was great news to hear that Ken Smith had located a family party which included at least two fully fledged and healthy youngsters.

Hobby - juveniles