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80% => The Nevillew General Discussion Forum => Topic started by: sonicyouth on Friday, June 1, 2012, 08:52:08



Title: Birds
Post by: sonicyouth on Friday, June 1, 2012, 08:52:08
Of the feathered variety.

After discovering at least one other TEFer is a secret birdrr, are there any others hiding on here?

I am moving home for a few weeks so would appreciate advice on good spots around Swindon and east Wilts.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Friday, June 1, 2012, 09:09:23
There's loads of seagulls at Compton Bassett tip


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, June 1, 2012, 09:17:20
No

But I did have a humming bird on my balcony the other day


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Arriba on Friday, June 1, 2012, 09:38:16
Coate is the place so i'm told(my parents are into it)
Also the area between Westlea and barnfield-moredon.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: sonicyouth on Friday, June 1, 2012, 09:42:13
Coate is the place so i'm told(my parents are into it)
Also the area between Westlea and barnfield-moredon.
thanks. I've been meaning to take the missus to Coate to show her that Swindon isn't made entirely out of concrete.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Friday, June 1, 2012, 09:50:06
No

But I did have a humming bird on my balcony the other day

She stink?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: nevillew on Friday, June 1, 2012, 11:28:37
There's loads of seagulls at Compton Bassett tip

No such thing as a seagull.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Ginginho on Friday, June 1, 2012, 11:34:13
We get Great Tits in our garden occasionally (tee hee hee)
Also get a variety of finches, etc.

We also have two hedgehogs that live in the garden.

You're welcome to come round and twitch in my garden if you want.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Gnasher on Friday, June 1, 2012, 11:57:54
Having been dragged around every RSPB reserve in the country as a kid I hate birds, but can identify near every species! Sommerford Common (Purton) isn't too far away and Badbury Hill (Coleshill) isn't too bad. Coate Water or Lydiard in Swindon.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: yeo on Friday, June 1, 2012, 12:17:39
There's a Cormerant type bird that stalks the Canal from the bottom of Kingshill to Wichelstow,it sits on posts and stares out fish,there's a Kingfisher on that stretch as well.There are small Birds of Prey at Shaw Forest maybe Kestrel? dunno they are little and hover.

Errr there are probably other stuff there to..


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Gnasher on Friday, June 1, 2012, 12:23:54
For the twitchers, my mum saw a montagu's harrier yesterday, north of Burford.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Samdy Gray on Friday, June 1, 2012, 12:41:58
There's a Cormerant type bird that stalks the Canal from the bottom of Kingshill to Wichelstow,it sits on posts and stares out fish,there's a Kingfisher on that stretch as well.

Is it completely white? If so it's a Little Egret and I've seen (possibly the same) one in Westlea recently.

When I finally get round to getting myself a DSLR I would like to get into a bit of wildlife photography.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Joycie on Friday, June 1, 2012, 12:54:36
There's an absolute bastard of a pigeon that sits on my balcony and watches me munch my cereal every morning.

Every goddamn morning the little arsehole.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: sonicyouth on Friday, June 1, 2012, 12:55:08
Coate sounds like a good option then, nice for a wander around even if we don't see much.

Have you seen the kingfisher much yeo? It is a bird that has so far eluded me, bar from the occasional flash of blue flying across my peripheral vision and frequently hearing them call from the stream that runs through the park near my flat. The kingfisher footage on Springwatch this week has been incredible. I spent ages watching an adult cormorant with a juvenile yesterday on a reserve just outside Coventry - it might be a sad hobby but it's cheap (to start with) and very relaxing.

I'd love to get into the photography side of it as well Sam but it's an expensive hobby as you inevitably end up spending more and more money on kit to obtain that elusive shot of a short eared owl... My mate spent upwards of £10k on his kit and he got fed up with it pretty soon. Check out his shots here (http://tgphotographic.com/).


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Ginginho on Friday, June 1, 2012, 13:05:39
I saw a dead kingfisher once. It was just dead, on the floor, near the entrance to our office. Very random.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Ginginho on Friday, June 1, 2012, 13:07:21
Those photos are amazing.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, June 1, 2012, 13:52:03
Coate sounds like a good option then, nice for a wander around even if we don't see much.

You missed the Feb thread on the bittern at Coate then SY? Coate is proper ace....it can get very busy, which is why it's probably best in winter...the best bet is to walk around to the causeway, between the two lakes where you get a good view of the heronry, then go straight on along the Hodson path then just before the cycle path veer off left and follow the paths near the lake to the duckboards, which head for the bird hide.  If you're really keen you could get a day pass from the Activity Centre, which gives you a key, otherwise just nipping round the side is OK.

Then retrace route and walk around the main lake, the bird table is worth 20 mins of anybody's time, but again dependent on how busy, and it can be very busy.

What you get is a bit random, but at this time of year I've sat and watched flocks of sand martins in the fields back of Day House Lane.

If you fancy a bit more of a walk, then rather than returning from the bird hide, just take the bridge over the M4 and follow the path to Hodson via Pinkcombe Wood....then back over teh M4 on Hodson road bridge and back to the other end of Coate. There's always stuff about either birds of field or wood.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Anteater on Friday, June 1, 2012, 14:27:34
A bit further afield but have regularly seen Kingfishers along from Buscot Weir down river on the Thames and also on the Kennet and Avon canal around both Little and Great Bedwyn.

Time also to make the most of Coate before it's surrounded by houses.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: RWB Robin on Friday, June 1, 2012, 14:38:28
Wouldn't call us twitchers, but we have a great garden with many very mature trees, and have put a quite substantial feeding station in - we are constantly surprised at how busy it has been (though we are haunted by a pair of squirrels which cause havoc with the food and the feeders).  We have a Greater spotted woodpecker, a pair of jays, a pair of nuthatches, an occasional pair of bullfinches, several goldfinches and the usual range of tits and finches - so it is good; but I'm glad to have the tips of where else to go...especially the Purton common, which is just down the road from us.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Samdy Gray on Friday, June 1, 2012, 15:25:24
I once rescued a cygnet from Buscot weir. True story.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: leefer on Friday, June 1, 2012, 18:07:27
Often stop and watch birds on my travels....this time of year they are manic.

The kestrels dont seem as common as they were a couple of years ago....that may be down to the increase of other hawks.
Saw a Jay today(gorgeous looking bird).....and at Wentworth i actually saw a baby woodpecker....at first i thought it was a robin on the bark of a tree.
Herons seem more plentifull these days.....but havn't seen many swifts or swallows this year.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Ginginho on Monday, December 17, 2012, 19:04:18
Had a sparrowhawk (I think) in our garden recently, ripping, what I think was a pigeon, to shreds. All that was left was a pile of feathers.
Managed to get a crap photo (rushed and through patio doors) before it flew off.



Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Foggy on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 10:47:12
Saw 2 Ravens at work yesterday, scarey looking things


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Honkytonk on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 11:28:06
Living in London, you know what I've missed? Having lots of tits around. (ooh err matron) See the odd blue one, but rarely.

Saw a Hawk (didn't get a good enough look at what it was, there and gone in blink of an eye) take a pigeon right out of a tree yesterday. They'd all gone there to escape the thing and it just landed on a high branch and jumped on one below.



Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 11:44:54
I know they're not birds, but I get loads of big bats flying about just outside my balcony. You can hear them rushing through the wind sometimes they get so close.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Ginginho on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 11:59:48
Yeah, I spot them most nights flying around above my head in our garden.
Considering we live in the middle of a council estate, we get a variety of wildlife in our garden, which is nice.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: suttonred on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 12:12:15
Yeah we have bats, plus stag beetles which are scary mothers.. Also have a fox that eats my shoes, a group of starlings that keep getting pissed up on the apples I never picked off the grass, and the fattest robin i've ever seen that waddles up and down the lawn as it sruggles to fly.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 12:57:46
I am into the wild birds. Feed them every day and get through loads of feed.

Living in the Country and this time of year you get so many coming in closer to the garden in search of food.
We are getting the odd Nuthatch and this morning a visit from the smallest British bird, the Goldcrest.
I spotted a blackcap on the bird table Sunday as well.
With all this activity I have to chase off the Sparrowhawk who visits frequently and of course when feeding birds come the mice and the seasonal Rat......I hate the things. Mind you I believe I have got rid of the one after putting daily poison in the hole.

Has the Red Kite reached the Swindon area yet ? All over Oxfordshire now.
Amazing that different birds reach different areas. The coal tit for example is common in north oxon but you rarely see them in south oxon. In addition we have a very small population of willow tits on the northern parts of the river cherwell.

I am always looking out for birds when fishing. Saw my first ever Egret this Summer.
On the River Cherwell we get 2 pairs of nesting Curlew's every spring that are wonderful to watch and catch the odd snipe during dusk.

Glad I am not the only Town birder :)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 12:59:50
Had a sparrowhawk (I think) in our garden recently, ripping, what I think was a pigeon, to shreds. All that was left was a pile of feathers.
Managed to get a crap photo (rushed and through patio doors) before it flew off.



Female Sparrowhawk that is. Bigger than the male.
They don't often take a pigeon but will when small birds are less in supply as well as smaller collard doves.
Nice picture.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 13:04:12
I am no twitcher but enjoy wildlife, after Leefers comments here are a couple of pics of the woody woodpecker that used to visit us in our old house a year or so ago.

[url width=900 height=675]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/jjedmunds/PICT0861_zpsf86e79c1.jpg[/url]

[url width=900 height=675]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/jjedmunds/PICT0862_zpsfff9c07c.jpg[/url]


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 13:15:01
Fantastic picture.

Green Woodpecker and a male blackbird.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 13:21:13
Fantastic picture.

Green Woodpecker and a male blackbird.

The little bugger used to wake us up pecking the tree next to our bedroom in the morning during June and July.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: RWB Robin on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 14:41:56
Envious of the green woodpecker, but we have a pair of greater spotted woodpeckers feeding regularly at our bird table, plus a pair of jays; currently a flock of long-tailed tits and some redwings drop in, and we have had .... and yes red kites are regularly seen over here too (RWB); they have become almost as common as buzzards now.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Honkytonk on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 14:49:28
We've got a green woodpecker who sits on the small patch of lawn outside the front of the house and goes after the ants. Is that what yours used to get up to Venkman?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: corner on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 16:16:14

Has the Red Kite reached the Swindon area yet ? All over Oxfordshire now.
Amazing that different birds reach different areas. The coal tit for example is common in north oxon but you rarely see them in south oxon. In addition we have a very small population of willow tits on the northern parts of the river cherwell.

Glad I am not the only Town birder :)
Seen over north swindon a couple of weeks ago and back in August, looked to be flying thro, not seen any nest around here though.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 16:38:33
We've got a green woodpecker who sits on the small patch of lawn outside the front of the house and goes after the ants. Is that what yours used to get up to Venkman?
TBH I have no idea, I only spotted him headbanging on the tree until he got a headache and went for a walk on the lawn!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 16:54:18
We've got a green woodpecker who sits on the small patch of lawn outside the front of the house and goes after the ants. Is that what yours used to get up to Venkman?

It's a facet of green woodpecker behaviour, that you're just as likely to see them on the ground as in a tree, back in the summer I saw a pair feeding in a field up near the Ridgeway, confused me at first as there wasn't too many trees anywhere nearby...but that's what they were.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 17:18:55
They love eating ants for sure.



Title: Re: Birds
Post by: THE FLASH on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 17:21:27
I once rescued a cygnet from Buscot weir.

Did it break your arm?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, December 27, 2012, 17:06:45
Has the Red Kite reached the Swindon area yet ?

Saw a red kite on the way down from Liddington Hill earlier...closest I've seen one to Swindon so far..for a lengthy  5 hour walk, not really too much about.  Cormorants on Coate Water and jays in the trees back of Chiseldon.

At this time of year, there are usually plenty of redwing and fieldfare etc, but nothing, it must be too warm in Scandanavia. SY?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Gnasher on Thursday, December 27, 2012, 17:13:24
Was at my mums in Little Rissington (near Burford) yesterday and there were nuthatch, treecreeper, jay and brambling in the garden.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: ronnie21 on Thursday, December 27, 2012, 17:14:04
Saw a red kite on the way down from Liddington Hill earlier...closest I've seen one to Swindon so far..for a lengthy  5 hour walk, not really too much about.  Cormorants on Coate Water and jays in the trees back of Chiseldon.

At this time of year, there are usually plenty of redwing and fieldfare etc, but nothing, it must be too warm in Scandanavia. SY?
Seen an odd red kite or two, one at Coleshill, one around Aldbourne and one just outside Marlborough.  Give them a couple of years and they'll be quite common I guess.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, December 27, 2012, 17:24:15
Seen an odd red kite or two, one at Coleshill, one around Aldbourne and one just outside Marlborough.  Give them a couple of years and they'll be quite common I guess.

Shows how successful reintroduction campaigns can be....let's hope this one does as well

http://greatbustard.org/the-project/


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: sonicyouth on Thursday, December 27, 2012, 18:09:45
Saw a red kite on the way down from Liddington Hill earlier...closest I've seen one to Swindon so far..for a lengthy  5 hour walk, not really too much about.  Cormorants on Coate Water and jays in the trees back of Chiseldon.

At this time of year, there are usually plenty of redwing and fieldfare etc, but nothing, it must be too warm in Scandanavia. SY?
the temperature hasn't got above 1C for about a month, not seen anything but magpies and blue tits since autumn.

looking forward to the mild climes of west oxfordshire this week...


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Arriba on Thursday, December 27, 2012, 19:44:42
I've seen a red kite over the weir field in wroughton once


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: fatbasher on Friday, December 28, 2012, 09:58:40
I saw loads of Turkey's, Chickens, Pheasants, Ducks, Geese, Partridge's and some Quail in my mates butchers shop just before Christmas. A twitchers paradsie if you ask me. The best sighting was some Great Tits flocking into the shop as I was walking out.

I am so sorry I could not help it.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Dostoyevsky on Friday, December 28, 2012, 15:41:28
Saw a cuckoo take over a nest and chuck the eggs out when I was in Petts Wood, Outer London, last month. Must be quite a rare sight :hmmm:


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Friday, December 28, 2012, 15:45:36
Saw a cuckoo take over a nest and chuck the eggs out when I was in Petts Wood, Outer London, last month. Must be quite a rare sight :hmmm:
It would be extremely rare in November, yes...some may even say impossible ::)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, December 28, 2012, 15:50:28
I expect loads of birds coincide their egg laying with freezing temperatures. Makes sense.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Dostoyevsky on Friday, December 28, 2012, 15:52:40
It would be extremely rare in November, yes...some may even say impossible ::)

Good point, my dad claimed that was what he saw, neither of us are ornitholgically clued up, he was eager to tell my Uncle who is very much a twitcher. Feel like a right berk now  :doh: "Now"? Hows about always  :cry:


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Friday, December 28, 2012, 15:54:51
Good point, my dad claimed that was what he saw, neither of us are ornitholgically clued up, he was eager to tell my Uncle who is very much a twitcher. Feel like a right berk now  :doh: "Now"? Hows about always  :cry:
Not saying you didn't see it, just not at that time of year ;)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, December 28, 2012, 16:10:46
I expect loads of birds coincide their egg laying with freezing temperatures. Makes sense.

Anything is possible in Dosser's world...being a fantasist has its compensations.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, December 28, 2012, 16:44:19
Penguin eggs..... in trees, naturally.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: corner on Friday, December 28, 2012, 16:54:07
Saw a cuckoo take over a nest and chuck the eggs out when I was in Petts Wood, Outer London, last month. Must be quite a rare sight :hmmm:
Thought I saw a pair 6-8 weeks ago, my mate convinced me it was jays that I saw....


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Friday, December 28, 2012, 17:08:42
Thought I saw a pair 6-8 weeks ago, my mate convinced me it was jays that I saw....
Cuckoos left for Africa months ago (sensible). They're not that common a sight when they are over here.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: leefer on Friday, December 28, 2012, 17:17:55
Birds have typical breeding patterns...thats not to say that some of every species will do things different at certain times and breed and nest at a completly different time of year to what is normal.
I have seen a lot more Jays this year,but a lot less of the Kestrel.
Magpies are as common as ever as is the scrounging Seagull.
The suicidal Pidgeon has been prominent and i saw a lot more flocks of Starlings this year.
I even saw a Tawny Owl mocking a crow...the Owl whispering under clenched beak you Twit you to the bemused looking crow.


Title: Re: Re: Re: Birds
Post by: sonicyouth on Friday, December 28, 2012, 19:04:11
Birds have typical breeding patterns...thats not to say that some of every species will do things different at certain times and breed and nest at a completly different time of year to what is normal.
I have seen a lot more Jays this year,but a lot less of the Kestrel.
Magpies are as common as ever as is the scrounging Seagull.
The suicidal Pidgeon has been prominent and i saw a lot more flocks of Starlings this year.
I even saw a Tawny Owl mocking a crow...the Owl whispering under clenched beak you Twit you to the bemused looking crow.
birds may breed early or late in the case of exceptionally mild weather but that would only occur around the breeding season. Its extremely unlikely to see birds nest at this time of year, particularly given Dostoyevsky's instance of two different species choosing to breed out of season in such close proximity


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: THE FLASH on Friday, December 28, 2012, 20:22:15
Saw a red kite today...south of Salisbury...lovely.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: adje on Friday, December 28, 2012, 20:23:41
Saw a red kite today...south of Salisbury...lovely.

Saw one the other day down here-had to slow down for it as it picked at some road kill,magnificent sight


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: THE FLASH on Friday, December 28, 2012, 21:43:40
It was near Stowford on the hill near Devizes road.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, January 3, 2013, 12:37:28
Saw what looked like a parrot on my balcony today. Dunno if it was wild or maybe a lost pet.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: sonicyouth on Thursday, January 3, 2013, 19:35:06
Spent the day at Slimbridge, fantastic numbers of birds and decent weather too.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Gnasher on Thursday, January 3, 2013, 19:44:40
First Green Woodpecker for the garden today. Also the first Grey Squirrel (I know it's not a bird)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: red socks on Thursday, January 3, 2013, 19:53:23
Saw a redish bird of prey hunting in front of me the other day that I think was a Marsh Harrier, didnt get my camera out in time and if darted off, beautiful looking bird would have been an amazing photo ....


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, February 17, 2013, 19:12:24
  The highlight of today's walk...disturbing a snipe in the flooded fields just off the Old Ridgeway, south of Burderop Down.  Handsome looking bird, not common in this part of the world...only ever seen a pair once before, a good few years ago.

[url width=612 height=431]http://www.shropshirebirds.com/ess_bap/bap_Common_Snipe.jpg[/url]

Not my photo...not quite in the whimbrel/curlew stakes when it comes to silly beaks, but comes close.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, April 15, 2013, 15:54:23
 Today's bird of interest. The common tern. It's a shame they're called common, because they're not as common as say the common gull.

 Saw 4 or 5 down at Coate earlier....swooping and diving looking for fish. Their problem was not being able to find any.

I've watched them before at the coast diving for sand eels...a fantastic aviator. Apparently they arrive in April having migrated, don't know where from mind.

Think they're often overlooked becasue people think it's just another gull

 
[url width=700 height=467]http://www.stephenburch.com/oxonpics/Common%20Tern%202%20PM%205%20Jul%2008sm.jpg[/url]


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Monday, April 15, 2013, 16:01:13
Nice picture.

We had a Reed Bunting in the garden last week and yesterday heard and saw my first 2 Chiffchaff's.
Spring is here.

No sign of the Curlew on the Cherwell yet.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, April 15, 2013, 16:13:01
Nice picture.

We had a Reed Bunting in the garden last week and yesterday heard and saw my first 2 Chiffchaff's.
Spring is here.

No sign of the Curlew on the Cherwell yet.

I have to admit, that I'm hopeless on warblers, so wouldn't know a chiff chaff from a willow warbler.

I just try and listen to the song and call it a warbler.  Plenty of activity today, as it warms up..


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: RedRag on Monday, April 15, 2013, 17:03:12
Saw what looked like a parrot on my balcony today. Dunno if it was wild or maybe a lost pet.
we get to see parakeets here in Surrey which have fared rather too well as wild birds
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/surrey/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8286000/8286707.stm


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bogus Dave on Monday, April 15, 2013, 17:08:04
In the winter after it rained there were loads of wading birds in the fields between beckhampton and devizes. No idea what they were, but it was odd to see


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Samdy Gray on Monday, April 15, 2013, 17:11:20
Saw a Sparrowhawk as I was driving to Purton yesterday.

Also caught glimpse of a rather large bird as I drove home from work today. Didn't see the body as it swooped below a hedge, but the wings were a light brown and darkened toward the tips. Any ideas?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Ginginho on Monday, April 15, 2013, 17:40:47
Possibly a kestrel, they are quite often seen hovering on the sides of roads.
I often see them on the A419 on my drive to Gloucester every day.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 16:34:01
 Today, I'm pretty sure I saw a pair of red throated divers at Coate...at first I thought grebe, but on inspection with the binos, no tufts, and so grebes ruled out and these things had an almost gullet like throat, whereas the grebe is thinner and whiter. Also clocked one in flight which according to the books is pretty distinctive, this thing was almost arrow like with a drooping neck.

 They dived down for a good long time and worked their up the lake with the wind.....according to web they have been seen at Coate before, but seemingly not for a while...as they're not common, the largest population being around the Western Isles.

(http://www.mullbirds.com/RTDivers-2Sindri%20Skulasson.jpg)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Local_Dan on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 22:27:42
Spent the day at Slimbridge, fantastic numbers of birds and decent weather too.


Last time i went to Slimbridge, i saw a Spoonbill which was most peculiar.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Samdy Gray on Sunday, September 20, 2015, 13:29:14
(Bump)

Took the dog to Somerford Common this afternoon and managed to see a couple of Little Owls. I had the camera with me, but couldn't get a good shot. I really need to invest in a longer lens.

I came across an elevated bird hide too, so might be good for twitching if you're into that kind of thing.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: ronnie21 on Sunday, September 20, 2015, 14:23:27
(Bump)

Took the dog to Somerford Common this afternoon and managed to see a couple of Little Owls. I had the camera with me, but couldn't get a good shot. I really need to invest in a longer lens.

I came across an elevated bird hide too, so might be good for twitching if you're into that kind of thing.
Are you sure that is what the "hide" was?  I believe it to be an elevated position for deer shooting!!  At least that is what I have seen it used for!!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Samdy Gray on Sunday, September 20, 2015, 14:32:49
Well, it's a hut on stilts. I guess it could be used for either purpose.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: ronnie21 on Sunday, September 20, 2015, 14:38:49
Well, it's a hut on stilts. I guess it could be used for either purpose.
True


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, September 10, 2018, 15:00:23
  An interesting spot in West Swindon!

  http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16831926.rare-hoopoe-bird-ruffles-feathers-in-west-swindon/?ref=mr&lp=6#gallery0


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Monday, September 10, 2018, 18:09:52
  An interesting spot in West Swindon!

  http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16831926.rare-hoopoe-bird-ruffles-feathers-in-west-swindon/?ref=mr&lp=6#gallery0
I saw that on Twitter (appropriately) Very nice spot. They're not even that easy to find in Southern Europe these days (in my limited experience)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Monday, September 10, 2018, 20:02:57
Saw a Cream Coloured Courser once. Not it wasn't my Dad's old motor either.  :D


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 08:23:19
Saw a Cream Coloured Courser once. Not it wasn't my Dad's old motor either.  :D

(https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/friday-ad/uploads/image/16837701_16837800/vauxhall-corsa-2013-16837760-1_800X600.jpg)

or

(https://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/F/ford%20gb%201963%20corsair_oct_ad.jpg)

?

I am sorry I don't understand your East Midland twang :D


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 11:39:42
(https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/friday-ad/uploads/image/16837701_16837800/vauxhall-corsa-2013-16837760-1_800X600.jpg)

or

(https://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/F/Ford%20gb%201963%20Cortina03.jpg)

?

I am sorry I don't understand your East Midland twang :D

That's a cortina! My old man did have a lovely BROWN Cortina in the late 80's. When you could still pick up a "runner" for under £200.

In all seriousness though, a Cream Coloured Courser is a genuine bird I've been apparently lucky to see (I'm no twitcher but I do like the more colourful birds). This looks a bit Sandpipery/Bantamish

https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0000530326


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: scillyred on Sunday, September 16, 2018, 15:38:30
Bill Oddie in a bird hide this am.
I was looking for a Knot or a Wryneck - my twitching is almost as bad as Town's defending  :cry:


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 13, 2020, 00:30:22
The little egret has made an appearance again, just off Tewkesbury Way.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Monday, January 13, 2020, 00:37:46
The little egret has made an appearance again, just of Tewkesbury Way.

Magistrates Court section of the Adver?

The way you worded that "Little Egret, of Tewkesbury Way..."


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 13, 2020, 09:41:00
The little egret has made an appearance again, just off Tewkesbury Way.

They are bloody everywhere up here!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Saxondale on Monday, January 13, 2020, 11:28:00
Whilst staying near Amsterdam in October I was rather surprised to see quite a lot of bright green Parakeets in the trees near us.  Didn't really seem right for a northern European city but apparently they have made their home in the area quite successfully after being bought in as pets in the 60's and 70's.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Monday, January 13, 2020, 11:36:14
You see them around in the UK too. Sometimes this way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_parakeets_in_Great_Britain

First time I saw one (Ciren)  I thought someone's pet had escaped.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 13, 2020, 11:36:51
There's thousands of Indian ring neck parakeets in SE England.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 13, 2020, 11:39:26
You see them around in the UK too. Sometimes this way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_parakeets_in_Great_Britain

First time I saw one (Ciren)  I thought someone's pet had escaped.

Bloody foreign parakeets coming over here taking jobs from hard working British birds...

Brexit cannot come soon enough!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, January 13, 2020, 11:43:44
There's thousands of Indian ring neck parakeets in SE England.

I don't know if its an Indian ring neck type but there is definitely at least 1 in Battersea Park that I have seen previously.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Red Frog on Monday, January 13, 2020, 11:55:59
I don't know if its an Indian ring neck type but there is definitely at least 1 in Battersea Park that I have seen previously.

I was deafened by about 20 of the buggers in that park next to the Fulham ground last year. Maybe like taxis they don't like going south of the river.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Monday, January 13, 2020, 14:02:09
Bloody foreign parakeets coming over here taking jobs from hard working British birds...

Brexit cannot come soon enough!

Yeah those (im)migrant birds. COming here, picking nd choosing where they live, raping food resources & jet setting off to the Southern Hemisphere, with gay abandon. How dare they!!1!

#MAGA #TakingBackCuntroll #Yes2BluePassport #RoolBritanya #ThisIsEnglund


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Monday, January 13, 2020, 14:02:52
#PecksItMeansPecksIt


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Sunday, April 26, 2020, 08:28:15
Just saw a sparrowhawk sat on my garden fence


Title: Birds
Post by: Batch on Sunday, April 26, 2020, 09:59:32
we've not got anything interesting at the moment, great and blue tits, blackbirds and pigeons.

but a pair of bastard magpie terrorise them all.

did see a red kite getting harassed by gulls over Haydon Wick earlier in the lockdown. where's your camera when you need it.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Sunday, April 26, 2020, 10:12:53
We have a robin that happily perches onto the fence. A pleasant site on a sunny day.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Sunday, April 26, 2020, 10:21:55
Is this the right thread



Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Valid Pint on Sunday, April 26, 2020, 13:31:17
Why do some people call women "birds". Is it derogatory and out of place a fifth of the way into the 21st century?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Sunday, April 26, 2020, 13:47:03
Any different to calling men ‘blokes’?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Mother Brown on Sunday, April 26, 2020, 15:05:36
Just saw a sparrowhawk sat on my garden fence

Was it the same one that was on ours the other day.
The frecer was back yesterday but didn't stay long because the police helicopter made yet another prolonged appearance
in these parts.
As an aside, spotted a pair of tits in next doors but one, back garden earlier.
Short lived as I had to stand on the shitter and peer out of the bathroom window to see them.
Dammed near cricked me neck


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Monday, April 27, 2020, 06:23:13


As an aside, spotted a pair of tits in next doors but one, back garden earlier.
Short lived as I had to stand on the shitter and peer out of the bathroom window to see them.
Dammed near cricked me neck

That’s dedication for you fellas, need to take that as an example how to persevere. Was she fit?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: suttonred on Monday, April 27, 2020, 07:11:03
I'm not very good at identifying birds bar the familiar ones. We have had a Woodpecker in the garden though, and a couple i have no clue what they were.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 09:20:08
Any different to calling men ‘blokes’?
The term "bird" goes back to Georgian times and refers to a prostitute, so yes its very much a derogatory term. Although it was spelled as "byrd".


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 09:37:36
Origin of bloke is supposed to be a name for a pickpocket. Nobody moans about that.*

*awaits moaners


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 09:54:07
Origin of bloke is supposed to be a name for a pickpocket. Nobody moans about that.*

*awaits moaners
Moan coming....

I personally think that a man being called a pickpocket is a way better than a woman being called a prostitute!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 10:07:01
Well, one's a dipper......ah.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Valid Pint on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 10:49:41
Moan coming....

I personally think that a man being called a pickpocket is a way better than a woman being called a prostitute!
I guess "robin" could be considered derogatory


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:25:54
Moan coming....

I personally think that a man being called a pickpocket is a way better than a woman being called a prostitute!
But it’s ridiculous getting all pc about a word whose connotation as an insult was 200 years ago. I’d imagine hardly anybody sees bird as an insult - apart, maybe, from the knit your own yoghurt brigade.

It’s no different to calling someone a berk now when it’s derivation is slang for cunt


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:35:49
But it’s ridiculous getting all pc about a word whose connotation as an insult was 200 years ago. I’d imagine hardly anybody sees bird as an insult - apart, maybe, from the knit your own yoghurt brigade.

It’s no different to calling someone a berk now when it’s derivation is slang for cunt
Nobody is getting PC about anything, I just think its a bit of a very old slang term that I personally haven't heard used in about 20 years. But it is a bit off calling someone a bird without knowing the origins, thats like calling a bloke a nonce without knowing the origins of that word.

And TBF cunt is more socially accepted than calling someone a prostitute.

Also I haven't heard anyone call somebody a berk since the 70s! and everyone with any intelligence knows thats rhyming slang anyway.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:41:29
So what is the origin of 'bird'?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: donkey on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:42:48
So what is the origin of 'bird'?

Dinosaurs, I think.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:43:29
So what is the origin of 'bird'?
Exactly my point. It’s so fucking old who gives a fuck.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:45:00
Nobody is getting PC about anything, I just think its a bit of a very old slang term that I personally haven't heard used in about 20 years. But it is a bit off calling someone a bird without knowing the origins, thats like calling a bloke a nonce without knowing the origins of that word.

And TBF cunt is more socially accepted than calling someone a prostitute.

Also I haven't heard anyone call somebody a berk since the 70s! and everyone with any intelligence knows thats rhyming slang anyway.
Well, bird is socially acceptable now ffs.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: suttonred on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:46:01
Fucking hell I didn't think it was possible to be more bored today. Someone post a photo of some big norks.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:46:58
Well, bird is socially acceptable now ffs.
Jeez chill the fuck out.

Getting worked up because I mentioned about the origins of a word that nobody every uses any more.

Seriously?



Title: Birds
Post by: Batch on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:54:04
me birds in the kitchen cooking lunch.

offended?

tough shit mother fuckers


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:55:07
me birds in the kitchen cooking lunch.

offended?

tough shit mother fuckers
There a rat in me kitchen what am I gonna do?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:57:10
I'm gonna fix that rat that's what I'm gonna do..

------
back on track, I'm spending the afternoon calibrating the autofocus on my big zoom lens. hth


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 12:00:40
I'm gonna fix that rat that's what I'm gonna do..

------
back on track, I'm spending the afternoon calibrating the autofocus on my big zoom lens. hth
I heard you had a big one.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 12:01:50
150-600mm range. that's 900mm on my crop body


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 12:02:04
I still don't know what the origin is...


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 12:06:28
I still don't know what the origin is...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk8hCLj59G4


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 12:40:38
Fucking hell I didn't think it was possible to be more bored today. Someone post a photo of some big norks.
There you go


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 13:03:22
Fucking hell I didn't think it was possible to be more bored today. Someone post a photo of some big norks.

Go and have another nap then when you wake up you're be to fatigued to even get up and make a cup of tea!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bogus Dave on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 13:41:43
Dinosaurs, I think.

Underrated comment


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: suttonred on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 17:20:39
There you go


Phwoaar


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: donkey on Saturday, May 2, 2020, 21:17:44
Underrated comment

Cheers Dave.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 16:18:54
Does anyone on here genuinely like birds (and no not the ones you may or may not have pulled down the pub, prior to 'rona) at all?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 16:28:22
Does anyone on here genuinely like birds (and no not the ones you may or may not have pulled down the pub, prior to 'rona) at all?
Yep, not an expert by any means but quite interested. The missus keeps a list of all the different ones we see every year (I can't be bothered). We usually see 100-120 species but it depends on where we've been so I guess this year the number will end up being fairly low...


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 17:20:34
Does anyone on here genuinely like birds (and no not the ones you may or may not have pulled down the pub, prior to 'rona) at all?

Why do you ask  :hmmm:



Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 17:24:56
Quote from: bamboonoshop
Does anyone on here genuinely like birds (and no not the ones you may or may not have pulled down the pub, prior to 'rona) at all?
yes.

I'm the opposite of expert, but raptors are cool.

love going The Hawk Conservancy in Andover, not been for quite some time though.

I'm also rubbish/newbie at photography - which combines well


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 17:26:26
Does anyone on here genuinely like birds (and no not the ones you may or may not have pulled down the pub, prior to 'rona) at all?


Me too and love to see/hear owls and also Jays


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 18:03:04
Does anyone on here genuinely like birds (and no not the ones you may or may not have pulled down the pub, prior to 'rona) at all?

I’m a twitcher and feed the birds every day in the garden.
Put up loads of nest boxes, including Barn Owls and Tawny Owls.
Got a Nuthatch nesting in the garden this year.
Know birds by their sounds and something that I got into as a kid.

I also shoot though as well. Magpies definitely.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 18:08:01
Ahh nice, I'm by no means a Twitcher (of the ornithological or nervous type) but I do like them. Anyhow, been shooting a lot of stuff for my short film but wanted to get better and improve at shooting moving objects.  Anyhow, one of my sisters kindly booked me onto a workshop for seabird photography.

I got what I personally needed out of it but it was also just fascinating to be surrounded by several species and even the same species all in different stages of life.

It was mostly Gannets (which I find are incredible and even more lovely when inspected), with Fulmar and Herring Gull chucked between. Didn't matter, for me it was about capturing the motion as it were. I've obviously taken some from the day and was pretty impressed with the results.

Anyhow, to make this short (:eyeroll:) I will be popping some of my faves from the shoot on my page and happy to drop the link (not an invitation to go to the "Dump" thread) here if any of you would fancy a peek?

Also may run a small competition on here and FB, to giveaway a print of one of the selections. I know that, might not be as nice as taking it yourself but I think if you like birds and my images have enough about them then it'll be worth it. Also, I think everyone can do with a boost every now and again; especially during these interesting times.

You can all take a breath now!

Cheers,
Bamboo :)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 18:16:05
We have a baby sparrow my wife rescued from soi dogs.

He's eating well. Not sure we can release him because he has no fer of people or animals. He seems to think my dog is one of his (several) mums.

I called him Captain Jack.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: scillyred on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 18:19:38
Puffins Rule  :)

I am a bit of a twitcher but only tend to go after the 'Mega' rare ones - luckily we get quite a few over here in a reasonably small area.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 18:29:41
We have a baby sparrow my wife rescued from soi dogs.

He's eating well. Not sure we can release him because he has no fer of people or animals. He seems to think my dog is one of his (several) mums.

I called him Captain Jack.

Have you given him Rum?  ;)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 18:30:57
I’m a twitcher and feed the birds every day in the garden.
Put up loads of nest boxes, including Barn Owls and Tawny Owls.
Got a Nuthatch nesting in the garden this year.
Know birds by their sounds and something that I got into as a kid.

I also shoot though as well. Magpies definitely.

Lots of Red Kites around Farringdon & Wantage Dukey have they reached your neck of the woods


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Sunday, August 30, 2020, 18:37:52
Puffins Rule  :)

I am a bit of a twitcher but only tend to go after the 'Mega' rare ones - luckily we get quite a few over here in a reasonably small area.

Puffins are great. I was lucky enough to be "working" on Scilly when a Bee Eater visited and was definitely on Agnes when a Cream Coloured Courser was about. The CCC must've been about 15/16yrs ago now? I remember at the time it was the first UK sighting for some time; I believe there have been some sightings of it since.

From pure memory, the Bee Eater was in the May and the CCC was Late Sept/Early Oct and I'm sure it was in the same year.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Monday, August 31, 2020, 07:40:58
Lots of Red Kites around Farringdon & Wantage Dukey have they reached your neck of the woods

They are everywhere now.
Lucky no parakeet’s yet, they are taking over some places.
Plenty of Buzzards here.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Monday, August 31, 2020, 08:14:28
We've got friends in Wycombe and I've sat in their back garden and counted 16-18 Red Kites in one go. An incredible success story. They are spreading East but haven't reached North Essex yet apart from the odd one passing through - still very much a rarity in this part of the world though.We never used to get Buzzards either but they're common these days. Parakeets I know are all over West/South West London and are getting to be quite a problem.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Monday, August 31, 2020, 08:53:58
I had no idea wild parakeets were about her until a couple of years ago. thought someone's port had escaped 🤭


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: RWB Robin on Monday, August 31, 2020, 09:03:34
Puffins Rule  :)]


👍👍👍


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: scillyred on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 13:03:20
Two Black Kite here atm, which I understand are pretty rare  8)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 13:37:24
Scilly Red, has me on ignore?! How bizarre. Considering I asked you about the two birds that had not been in the UK for a while.

I get that I can be pretty annoying regarding wider aspects on here but when it comes to this thread seems a little odd. Hopefully an accident  :hmmm:


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 13:50:58
I didn't think I;d wade into this thread, but we have a Red Tailed Hawk - sounds like a bay screaming that's been smoking 60 a day.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 13:53:59
Scilly Red, has me on ignore?! How bizarre. Considering I asked you about the two birds that had not been in the UK for a while.

I get that I can be pretty annoying regarding wider aspects on here but when it comes to this thread seems a little odd. Hopefully an accident  :hmmm:


Annoying is when there's a fly buzzing around the kitchen and you can't get it


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 14:04:35
worse still, at night when you are trying to sleep


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 14:15:50
worse still, at night when you are trying to sleep

And when they fly around the window but disappear when you go to open it


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 14:39:02
Apparently, and it does seem to work, a fly/ flying insect will always fly toward the direction of any threat because the direction of current/draft created . The trick is to actually waft towards yourself or if you want it to go out of a window, open it but then wave your tea towel, hands in the opposing direction. The fly still senses the threat and does what it would normally do. Since you generate more flow or current away from you (almost a very micro form of turbulent air) the fly heads windoward.

Seems an unnatural action and weird at first; looking like you're practising semaphore in your kitchen but it seems to work.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 14:41:00
Apparently, and it does seem to work, a fly/ flying insect will always fly toward the direction of any threat because the direction of current/draft created . The trick is to actually waft towards yourself or if you want it to go out of a window, open it but then wave your tea towel, hands in the opposing direction. The fly still senses the threat and does what it would normally do. Since you generate more flow or current away from you (almost a very micro form of turbulent air) the fly heads windoward.

Seems an unnatural action and weird at first; looking like you're practising semaphore in your kitchen but it seems to work.

Is there no end to your knowledge! Get yourself on the Krypton Factor😁


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 14:47:50
Is there no end to your knowledge! Get yourself on the Krypton Factor😁

I know nothing, Jon Snow. I absorb a lot of stuff. Probably stuff I don't need to know!

I would be great on the 'shape' part of Krypton Factor. Fun fact, made the shortlist to be on the First Season of The Island w Bear Grylls but they likely just wanted some inept Joey (why didn't they choose me then!), incapable of living without an iPhone for a couple of months. For 'entertainment' of course.

Anyway Birbs  ;


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 14:56:20
Is there no end to your knowledge! Get yourself on the Krypton Factor😁

Or just Krypton will do.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 14:57:56
Or just Krypton will do.

Are you saying he dosen't have any factor🤔


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 15:17:09
Or just Krypton will do.

You love me more than you know  :pint:


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 15:18:21
You love me more than you know  :pint:

Back to the homoerotic again🙄


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 12:48:18
For any of you that want a little look. I've photographed different stuff for years but never explored moving objects so much. Especially birds. Last week was my first time, spending some time actually shooting images of birds, with the great help of Pro Wildlife Photographer and Seabird specialist, Steve Race.

For me, it wasn't so much about learning how to composé an image it was purely about capturing the motion of flight.

There's better ones to come but I hope you enjoy these few and if you are keen on photography (and especially birds) then I hope this might inspire one or two of you to explore that further.

Bamboo 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/100781051607049/posts/166102535074900/


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: scillyred on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 15:33:55
Scilly Red, has me on ignore?! How bizarre. Considering I asked you about the two birds that had not been in the UK for a while.

I get that I can be pretty annoying regarding wider aspects on here but when it comes to this thread seems a little odd. Hopefully an accident  :hmmm:

I wouldn't get a complex, I have large numbers of people on ignore, as I am not really interested in the 80% bollocks content  :)
Nobody is ignored on my iPad, hence I read your comments above !
Did you post on here previously as Spencer White (?) as he used to work on St Agnes ?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 15:38:06
For any of you that want a little look. I've photographed different stuff for years but never explored moving objects so much. Especially birds. Last week was my first time, spending some time actually shooting images of birds, with the great help of Pro Wildlife Photographer and Seabird specialist, Steve Race.

For me, it wasn't so much about learning how to composé an image it was purely about capturing the motion of flight.

There's better ones to come but I hope you enjoy these few and if you are keen on photography (and especially birds) then I hope this might inspire one or two of you to explore that further.

Bamboo 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/100781051607049/posts/166102535074900/

Nice photos bamboo what's your day job and where you based?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 23:25:15
I wouldn't get a complex, I have large numbers of people on ignore, as I am not really interested in the 80% bollocks content  :)
Nobody is ignored on my iPad, hence I read your comments above !
Did you post on here previously as Spencer White (?) as he used to work on St Agnes ?

Ahh apologies, I do get a slight complex from time to time. I'm a sensitive soul and not afraid to admit it or show it. I know that can bring both it's positives and negatives.

I will say then you're on the wrong forum SR, as I know I speak for myself but the 80% is more like 98.5% ;)

Spencer White?! That is certainly a new alias on me... :hmmm: I wonder who that might have been/be? Since pretty much whoever has worked Aggy will know or know of another worker, even if generationally different time. The only thing is, I can't seem to remember any other Swindon fan that has worked on Aggy or the locals would have let me know around the time. Hmmm perked my curiosity that has.

I know that there were a few STFC fans on St. Marys around the years I spent working on Aggy (one may have been yourself), so as I say be interesting to find out who 'Spencer White' was/is and if that is their real name or just an alias.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 23:56:40
Nice photos bamboo what's your day job and where you based?

In part, photography is my day job along with a bundle of anything creative arts based. I had been getting fairly regular work come through before Covid-19 and was well on the way to launching my own company (far too much to talk about in the ''Birbs'' thread). I was booked for two feature films; a walk on role and and a physical (probs just running away from something, I'm good at that) role. The former is a recently released Warner Bros film. But they (or those scenes) got cancelled. I won't go as far to say I'm an actor for fear of retribution from the TEF but these roles were a step up from an extra role.

In the meantime, I started trying to make my own short films (which are in production but it's basically just me), having been lucky enough to work alongside a friend who has been a fairly successful Director, and as you can see, I do like to go on, and on and on. Recently picked up a Producer come Photographer role for a film being produced in Leamington Spa area. I'm due that way in the next few weeks, to shoot headshots and do some promo stuff. Then off to Turkey for some Advanced Drone (oh the irony of droning) Photography training. Which is all really geared towards me upskilling and getting better at moving objects/images in terms of filmmaking. I know I have some great content to write and produce but it's actually getting down to it and developing the bloody stuff. Maybe one day you'll get to see it!

As for where based...I get around but generally between North Derbyshire and then the ''proper' North'' of East Yorkshire/North Yorks border (probs on a very similar latitude to Horlock). I can pop up elsewhere from time to time; like Mr. Benn I guess. Except I've never lived on a Festive Rd, or in a terraced house, or at a No.52. Nor a Bowler hat for that matter. I did enjoy the moral values that Mr. Benn presented though.

And there we are again...a brief recent history of me. Enjoy reading (ignore count tops out at 200)  :pint:


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 23:59:33
Birds, Birds, Birds:

Did not see the Black Kites, so nice one to those who have. I've mentioned mine but what is your favourite/rarest/interesting bird you have seen?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 00:17:08
In part, photography is my day job along with a bundle of anything creative arts based. I had been getting fairly regular work come through before Covid-19 and was well on the way to launching my own company (far too much to talk about in the ''Birbs'' thread). I was booked for two feature films; a walk on role and and a physical (probs just running away from something, I'm good at that) role. The former is a recently released Warner Bros film. But they (or those scenes) got cancelled. I won't go as far to say I'm an actor for fear of retribution from the TEF but these roles were a step up from an extra role.

In the meantime, I started trying to make my own short films (which are in production but it's basically just me), having been lucky enough to work alongside a friend who has been a fairly successful Director, and as you can see, I do like to go on, and on and on. Recently picked up a Producer come Photographer role for a film being produced in Leamington Spa area. I'm due that way in the next few weeks, to shoot headshots and do some promo stuff. Then off to Turkey for some Advanced Drone (oh the irony of droning) Photography training. Which is all really geared towards me upskilling and getting better at moving objects/images in terms of filmmaking. I know I have some great content to write and produce but it's actually getting down to it and developing the bloody stuff. Maybe one day you'll get to see it!

As for where based...I get around but generally between North Derbyshire and then the ''proper' North'' of East Yorkshire/North Yorks border (probs on a very similar latitude to Horlock). I can pop up elsewhere from time to time; like Mr. Benn I guess. Except I've never lived on a Festive Rd, or in a terraced house, or at a No.52. Nor a Bowler hat for that matter. I did enjoy the moral values that Mr. Benn presented though.

And there we are again...a brief recent history of me. Enjoy reading (ignore count tops out at 200)  :pint:

Cheers bamboo you're certainly a very talented intriguing guy


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 00:41:26
Cheers bamboo you're certainly a very talented intriguing guy

Fixed it  ;)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: scillyred on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 13:09:33
Birds, Birds, Birds:

Did not see the Black Kites, so nice one to those who have. I've mentioned mine but what is your favourite/rarest/interesting bird you have seen?

Rarest - Belted Kingfisher (very briefly)
Sadly, most of the very rare birds get blown here from far, far away, never to return.
Favourite - Sanderlings !
Interesting - a Merlin flew into my back yard in central Hugh Town to take a sparrow. Then sat on the fence to eat it for 10 mins.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 17:11:12
Fixed it  ;)

😁😁😁


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 20:28:34
Had a Robin in the house this Morning it’s an omen and not Brett Pitman.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 20:30:13
Had a Robin in the house this Morning it’s an omen and not Brett Pitman.

Had some great tits in the house as well. But they disappeared into the ensuite as I was leaving for work. Sadly not an omen as they’ve flown to bed already.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 22:04:18
Rarest - Belted Kingfisher (very briefly)
Sadly, most of the very rare birds get blown here from far, far away, never to return.
Favourite - Sanderlings !
Interesting - a Merlin flew into my back yard in central Hugh Town to take a sparrow. Then sat on the fence to eat it for 10 mins.

Aye, Scilly does have that exposed position of tempting a few birds to stay a bit longer. Being so small though, the path via Scilly can be easily missed for many a bird. They don't know what they're missing  :D

Has the CCC been seen again on Scilly since the time I mentioned (cSept/Oct 2004/05)?

I must admit, although not rare (for Scilly), I did used to enjoy watching Ringed Plovers and Curlews skip about at a low tide Killier or Berge Cooth, with skirting pips of several Oystercatchers in attendance too  :)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:20:41
That Robin has come back ;)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:30:59
That Robin has come back ;)

Tinker  :D


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:40:57
That Robin has come back ;)

It's a sign winter is on its way😁


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Geoff the Ref on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:46:13
It's a sign winter is on its way😁
It’s all down to Global Warming.  We’ve even had a sparrow in our back garden - that was a surprise I don’t mind telling you.  I rang the RSPB, but they just sent me a little sheet on which to record any other unexpected sightings.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:49:31
It’s all down to Global Warming.  We’ve even had a sparrow in our back garden - that was a surprise I don’t mind telling you.  I rang the RSPB, but they just sent me a little sheet on which to record any other unexpected sightings.


You didn't say if it was a house sparrow or hedge sparrow which is vital information for the RSPB and the sheet you have to fill in


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:51:45
Sparrows are actually rare in some areas these days...


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:55:01
Sparrows are actually rare in some areas these days...

I don't see many starlings anymore mainly pigeons and Magpies


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Geoff the Ref on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:55:18

You didn't say if it was a house sparrow or hedge sparrow which is vital information for the RSPB and the sheet you have to fill in
It was fucking brown.  OK?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:56:18
It was fucking brown.  OK?


Noooo it's not they need precise detail for their records😁

House sparrow top
Tree sparrow bottom


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Geoff the Ref on Friday, September 4, 2020, 15:00:01

Noooo it's not they need precise detail for their records😁
I’ll have to wait til the little bastard comes back, and see if he sits on the house or on the hedge.  This shite is more complicated that I thought.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 15:01:24
I’ll have to wait til the little bastard comes back, and see if he sits on the house or on the hedge.  This shite is more complicated that I thought.

It naught not be the same one tho!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Friday, September 4, 2020, 20:02:52

You didn't say if it was a house sparrow or hedge sparrow which is vital information for the RSPB and the sheet you have to fill in

I will correct this.
A Tree or House sparrow or a Dunnock.

The top picture is actually a Dunnock, often called a Hedge Sparrow which is like calling Brett Pitman thin  :-[


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, September 4, 2020, 20:08:27
I will correct this.
A Tree or House sparrow or a Dunnock.

The top picture is actually a Dunnock, often called a Hedge Sparrow which is like calling Brett Pitman thin  :-[

Do you know if we are about to see a migration of a Woodpecker from the East of England to Wiltshire? 😉


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bogus Dave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 21:27:35
I saw a woodpecker fly over my garden earlier, and got very excited


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 21:29:45
I saw a woodpecker fly over my garden earlier, and got very excited

Great spotted are common where I am and green woodpeckers are rare


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bogus Dave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 21:39:35
‘Twas a green one


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, September 4, 2020, 21:58:16
I saw a woodpecker fly over my garden earlier, and got very excited

Did you nickname it Jimmy (no not JQ btw)?  :hmmm:


‘Twas a green one

Would you say it was kind of 'Forest Green' in hue?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 22:08:02
Did you nickname it Jimmy (no not JQ btw)?  :hmmm:


Would you say it was kind of 'Forest Green' in hue?

I haven't seen one for a year or so and it was like photo


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, September 4, 2020, 23:40:17
I haven't seen one for a year or so and it was like photo

It does have a Foresty hue to it doesn't it? I think I've seen ones with brighter plumage than that though. At times almost verging on luminous green. I do love the colouring on the Bee-Eater though. Spectacular, even for the non bird watcher. It's like it has been on one of those "colour runs" or a paint fight  :)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:16:36
Great spotted are common where I am and green woodpeckers are rare

Indeed the most common. We are lucky here to have all 3 types visiting the garden.
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker clearly being the smallest.
The Green Woodpeckers always on the lawn hoovering up the ants.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:17:42
Indeed the most common. We are lucky here to have all 3 types visiting the garden.
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker clearly being the smallest.
The Green Woodpeckers always on the lawn hoovering up the ants.

Do you get many owls Dukey probably my favourite bird especially listening to them at night


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:20:46
Do you know if we are about to see a migration of a Woodpecker from the East of England to Wiltshire? 😉

I am hoping Woolery sorts his head out and signs, Donahue is a done deal.
Reckon the next forward is more likely to be a loan and not Norwood now that BP has signed.
Just the second keeper and we are about there.

Typical Wellens fashion done the business under the radar with no fuss.
A degree of confidence in the camp ....... unleash the dark horse.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:21:57
I am hoping Woolery sorts his head out and signs, Donahue is a done deal.
Reckon the next forward is more likely to be a loan and not Norwood now that BP has signed.
Just the second keeper and we are about there.

Typical Wellens fashion done the business under the radar with no fuss.
A degree of confidence in the camp ....... unleash the dark horse.

Spot on about Wellens so what's going on with woolerey


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:24:16
Do you get many owls Dukey probably my favourite bird especially listening to them at night

We got both Tawny and Barn.
Unfortunately both my Owl boxes I put up in the Village were taken up my the Jackdaws.

This month the best of them all to hear the Tawny. This years fledglings will be making themselves heard. A wonderful sound.
Not seen a Little Owl for a while. Used to be a pair near here where I fish and talking to the farmer the other day he has not seen them either.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:24:42
Spot on about Wellens so what's going on with woolerey

Agent being a cock.
Hope he signs this weekend, if not he is gone.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:25:08
Sparrows are actually rare in some areas these days...

They are.... one of the posiitives of the early fairly severe lockdown was a bit of a spread of house sparrows near me, who kept up about 3 weeks of constant chirping.... not particularly melifluous, but they just sounded happy, which in the circumstances was a joy.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:25:38
Agent being a cock.

Much better when player sits down with the manager cut out the middle man


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 08:30:13
They are.... one of the posiitives of the early fairly severe lockdown was a bit of a spread of house sparrows near me, who kept up about 3 weeks of constant chirping.... not particularly melifluous, but they just sounded happy, which in the circumstances was a joy.

Good to hear.
A few nesting pairs here have produced a fair few new additions.
Witnessed one of the most fascinating things between 2 Male house sparrows this year. Quite sad really and didn’t get to them in time as at first just thought it was a brief squabble.
In fact it was a fight to the death with one being severely wounded.
I rescued it hiding it under the car but the other one was searching for it for 5 minutes after.
Nature I guess.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 09:37:30
I've not come across that before, nature can be brutal at times...


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 09:41:01
I've not come across that before, nature can be brutal at times...

I remember watching a year in the Highgove house grounds and they filmed robins fighting to their death during the winter months when they become territorial and when food is scarce


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 10:41:37
I remember watching a year in the Highgove house grounds and they filmed robins fighting to their death during the winter months when they become territorial and when food is scarce

Jimmy, Robins are renowned for this when as you mentioned food is scare.
As you know I feed the birds daily here. This must help Robins as we have plenty of pairs here that have produced a fair few Young this year. Sure they squabble a little but never a full on territorial fight as food is plentiful.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 10:45:47
Jimmy, Robins are renowned for this when as you mentioned food is scare.
As you know I feed the birds daily here. This must help Robins as we have plenty of pairs here that have produced a fair few Young this year. Sure they squabble a little but never a full on territorial fight as food is plentiful.

I guess you don't have many cats around either! Is the garden big and do you have a lot of maintenance to do on it pruning trees & cutting hedges etc


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 12:49:34
I am hoping Woolery sorts his head out and signs, Donahue is a done deal.
Reckon the next forward is more likely to be a loan and not Norwood now that BP has signed.
Just the second keeper and we are about there.

Typical Wellens fashion done the business under the radar with no fuss.
A degree of confidence in the camp ....... unleash the dark horse.

Cheers, the Norwood thoughts were more being a little greedy, although would have been some signal to others. I guess we were in for both and it was a who showed most interest back? I'd prefer an older GK, as back up. End of career job, heading towards being a coach. Just for balance.

If I were part of this squad, I'd certainly be feeling confident too. Of course, what happens on the pitch is what matters but the signs so far, look very good.

Strangely enough I have been talking to a Premier League development coach recently. However, this is the birds thread so I'll maybe pop up some more seabird pics instead  :)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 12:51:13
Cheers, the Norwood thoughts were more being a little greedy, although would have been some signal to others. I guess we were in for both and it was a who showed most interest back? I'd prefer an older GK, as back up. End of career job, heading towards being a coach. Just for balance.

If I were part of this squad, I'd certainly be feeling confident too. Of course, what happens on the pitch is what matters but the signs so far, look very good.

Strangely enough I have been talking to a Premier League development coach recently. However, this is the birds thread so I'll maybe pop up some more seabird pics instead  :)

There's no restrictions on what type of birds 😁


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 13:28:28
I guess you don't have many cats around either! Is the garden big and do you have a lot of maintenance to do on it pruning trees & cutting hedges etc

One bastard cat that the dog chases.
Surrounded by trees and hedges that act as cover and protection from the marauding Sparrowhawk.
Have 2 tame Male Pheasants that feed twice a day. Wind the dog up a treat :)
Plenty of gardening but no problem with that.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, September 5, 2020, 13:30:08
One bastard cat that the dog chases.
Surrounded by trees and hedges that act as cover and protection from the marauding Sparrowhawk.
Have 2 tame Male Pheasants that feed twice a day. Wind the dog up a treat :)
Plenty of gardening but no problem with that.


Your garden sounds idyllic


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, September 7, 2020, 08:49:52
I know they're not birds but I saw flying foxes last night.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Geoff the Ref on Monday, September 7, 2020, 08:56:47
I know they're not birds but I saw flying foxes last night?
Come on Leicester!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Sippo on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 14:53:59
There is some sort of bird shredding a pigeon to bits in our garden. Looks like a female sparrowhawk.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 14:54:29
There is some sort of bird shredding a pigeon to bits in our garden. Looks like a female sparrowhawk.

Get a photo then


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 14:54:55
yeah,  almost certainly a sparrowhawk.

isn't nature great

until you get to deal with the aftermath!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 15:03:28
Will be a sparrowhawk, they have a habit of doing it in our front garden, lost count of the number of times I have had to distract the little one when walking from door to road on the school run to distract her from the carnage being reaped next to the hedge!

On a similar vein we appear to have gained a sodding owl, noisy little bugger going on in the garden all bloody night!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 19:11:46
Will be a sparrowhawk, they have a habit of doing it in our front garden, lost count of the number of times I have had to distract the little one when walking from door to road on the school run to distract her from the carnage being reaped next to the hedge!

On a similar vein we appear to have gained a sodding owl, noisy little bugger going on in the garden all bloody night!

The Male Sparrowhawk is remarkably smaller and will generally take smaller birds.
The Female will take the Wood Pigeons and distinctive by its yellow claws and striped plumage, light grey in colour.
The Male bird has a lovely colouring.

Just put another owl box up during the Christmas holidays.
The Tit boxes are being inspected which marks Spring is well and truly on the way.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 19:22:16
yeah,  almost certainly a sparrowhawk.

isn't nature great

until you get to deal with the aftermath!

I found a dead pigeon in a water butt in my garden a few years ago. It had talon wounds on it's back. I had to fish it out and bin it.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 11:04:34
This thread seems a good place as any to post a couple of queries regarding garden species.

As with all birds I love having them in the garden and always make sure the bird feeders are kept topped up. On Sunday whilst I was enjoying a beer on our lawn a friendly little robin kept landing on the table before flying away. They are such lovely birds. What aren't lovely birds are pigeons, and we have an abundance of the greedy bastards waiting to pounce on any seed that comes out of the feeders. They also create awful messy shite over the garden. Is there any way of discouraging pigeons or am I going to have to just accept they are part of the bird family?

Secondly, our conservatory appears to be a place where wasps seem to love to 'chill out'. Almost every day when we sit down there is at least one of the little buggers flying repeatedly into window panes. Any suggestions of how to stop these fucking things getting in? (I a am fully aware I could sit with the door and windows closed but it gets very warm when the sun is out!!)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 11:18:28
This thread seems a good place as any to post a couple of queries regarding garden species.

As with all birds I love having them in the garden and always make sure the bird feeders are kept topped up. On Sunday whilst I was enjoying a beer on our lawn a friendly little robin kept landing on the table before flying away. They are such lovely birds. What aren't lovely birds are pigeons, and we have an abundance of the greedy bastards waiting to pounce on any seed that comes out of the feeders. They also create awful messy shite over the garden. Is there any way of discouraging pigeons or am I going to have to just accept they are part of the bird family?

Secondly, our conservatory appears to be a place where wasps seem to love to 'chill out'. Almost every day when we sit down there is at least one of the little buggers flying repeatedly into window panes. Any suggestions of how to stop these fucking things getting in? (I a am fully aware I could sit with the door and windows closed but it gets very warm when the sun is out!!)

Oooo hark and you with your garden and conservatory...  ;) :girlgiggle:

In answer to your questions;

Robins are aggro little bastards!
With pigeons I have seen suggestions previously that a model sparrowhawk of similar might discourage them, plus coincidentally this thing popped up on Facebook the other day, no idea if it works or what not https://pigeon-deterrent.co.uk/ thankfully we don't seem to get pigeons out here in the sticks, its mainly your more upper class (and noisy) Collared Dove.
No idea about wasps, they seem to be one of the creatures of the world with no real purpose and one has to tolerate the wankers! 


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 11:34:12
Wasps are very misunderstood creatures.

They are very helpful indeed. They prey on so many of the pests we try to get rid of and farmers will sometimes have colonies shipped in to help protect their crops. They are also important pollinators. They're not really interested in stinging you because doing so is extremely dangerous for them. They'd much rather just mind their own business and spend their days doing what wasps love to do.

So there!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bogus Dave on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 11:35:24
Wasps are aggy little cunts


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Nemo on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 11:37:27
They'd much rather just mind their own business and spend their days doing what wasps love to do.

Unless of course you have a fizzy drink in which case woe betide you.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 11:57:39
Wasps are very misunderstood creatures.

They are very helpful indeed. They prey on so many of the pests we try to get rid of and farmers will sometimes have colonies shipped in to help protect their crops. They are also important pollinators. They're not really interested in stinging you because doing so is extremely dangerous for them. They'd much rather just mind their own business and spend their days doing what wasps love to do.

So there!

I did actually read that about wasps and I have no interest in killing them as I know they are useful for getting rid of insects in the garden. I just don't want them going mental anywhere near me in the house. Whilst I'm sure what you say about wasps not being interested in stinging me is probably true. I'd rather not take the chance if possible!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:05:00
Secondly, our conservatory appears to be a place where wasps seem to love to 'chill out'. Almost every day when we sit down there is at least one of the little buggers flying repeatedly into window panes. Any suggestions of how to stop these fucking things getting in? (I a am fully aware I could sit with the door and windows closed but it gets very warm when the sun is out!!)
Probably not what you're after on aesthetic grounds but we put these over the top windows in the lads' rooms for precisely the same reason and they work a treat (not sure if this is the exact one as the missus bought them, but they're along the same lines)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Window-Insect-Screen-Mesh-Net-Fly-Bug-Mosquito-Moth-Door-Netting-Net-Cover/154372501625?hash=item23f1517079:g:bOsAAOSwqHNgTxm7&var=454443289557


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:07:02
I did actually read that about wasps and I have no interest in killing them as I know they are useful for getting rid of insects in the garden. I just don't want them going mental anywhere near me in the house. Whilst I'm sure what you say about wasps not being interested in stinging me is probably true. I'd rather not take the chance if possible!

A quick google threw up the Waspinator? https://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/Garden-Essentials-1/Pest-and-Disease-Control/Wapinator-Wasp-Deterrent.html

Other options are to put mesh screens over the windows when you open them.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Arriba on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:21:21
I also have pigeons in my garden eating all the food. I don't mind though as they seem to give other birds confidence to come and feed too. I'd struggled to get anything in my garden with hanging fatballs/seed feeders. I bought a bird table last week and that's changed now. Still don't get a great variety of birds but at least I'm getting some now (pigeons,starlings,jackdaws). The pigeons are messy but I can cope with that and hope to get more variety of birds over the next few weeks/months


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 12:22:55
Seen any rats yet arriba?  :)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Samdy Gray on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 14:27:31
We get loads in our garden. Mostly pigeons, starlings and sparrows. The occasional blue tit. We've discovered none of them like the pre-formed balls you put in the feeder, but they went mad for cherry flavoured suet pellets.

I don't mind the pigeons so much, but I've two trees to the front of my house and they do like to sit in them and shit on the cars on the driveway.

We were sat out in the garden yesterday and a sparrowhawk made a dive for a pigeon, I could actually hear a "whoosh" as it dived. Pretty cool. It didn't catch the pigeon, mind.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 14:50:11
I know Flasheart will win this one, but we get loads of wildlife.

Most often it's Robins, but I also get Cardinals (who tease our cat) and we get circled by Falcons quite a bit.

The garden is also home to Squirrels and Chipmunks, with the odd time a family of deer ,and the road is the usual resting place of Armadillos.

Just this week we had a snake on the drive, only a tiny little thing and we get Scorpions fairly often, again only small ones that shoe can take care of.

Our cat has been seen by the neighbour trying to chase off a Coyote.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 15:09:43
Cheers for the feedback. The mesh looks a useful tool for the windows but as we often sit with the door wide open would probably be a pointless addition! :)

As with others on here, I don't necessarily mind the pigeons that much, they tend to leave the other smaller birds alone and just hang around waiting for the food to be dropped on the floor. I guess its just the shit that I do mind. I think I'll just have to learn to live with what we have.

The other day a couple of magpies were 'digging' with their beaks at the bottom of one of the walls. I noticed there were small puddles where they had got into and assume were looking for worms or something. The wife was saying that magpies are bastard birds, is this the case?

I have to say that working at home now and having the noise of constant birdsong (even the pigeon coo!!) through the window beats the drone of the London traffic crashing past any day of the week! The tree the feeders are in lure in blue/great tits, robins, pigeons and other smaller brownish birds which I haven't yet established what they are yet.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 15:48:49

I have to say that working at home now and having the noise of constant birdsong (even the pigeon coo!!) through the window beats the drone of the London traffic crashing past any day of the week! The tree the feeders are in lure in blue/great tits, robins, pigeons and other smaller brownish birds which I haven't yet established what they are yet.


They might be Jenny. As in a Wren. Smaller than a Robin in size? Lovely birdsong from them. Tuneful little buggars and skip about amongst shrubs. Whack in something like Hebe and Escallonia. Will keep the wasps a bit busier as well as bring in more bees. Plus when in flower they both smell fantastic.

Gotta make that garden a fully sensory one Mr Orange :)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 16:05:14

They might be Jenny. As in a Wren. Smaller than a Robin in size? Lovely birdsong from them. Tuneful little buggars and skip about amongst shrubs. Whack in something like Hebe and Escallonia. Will keep the wasps a bit busier as well as bring in more bees. Plus when in flower they both smell fantastic.

Gotta make that garden a fully sensory one Mr Orange :)


Yeah I think it might be a Wren actually. That's exactly the behaviour that you described.

soapy tit wank, the previous owners were clearly very green fingered as the garden was immaculate. Just hoping to keep some of the flora and fauna alive!!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 16:32:22
Yeah I think it might be a Wren actually. That's exactly the behaviour that you described.

soapy tit wank, the previous owners were clearly very green fingered as the garden was immaculate. Just hoping to keep some of the flora and fauna alive!!

Ahh nice! We have the Oystercatchers peep-peep-peeeep ing and the Ruddy Turnstones trilling. As well as the Gannets giving it a good old screech. The Turnstones really are amazing to watch - flipping lumps of chalk over that are definitely heavier than them!

Ahh you'll be right, keep it fed and watered and should be no probs. Especially in an already established garden too :)

Talking of Gannets. Can't remember if I popped this one on here before but here's one of my fave shots taken of a Gannet in flight giving me evils as it was on the hunt for some grub!



Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 16:42:14
Putting tarpaulins up at the Windows each night.
We have a crow that is attacking its own shadow in them as dawn breaks.
Even drawing blood in its attacks. Nests nearby and they get very territorial.

Nesting nuthatches, goldfinches, blue Tits, great tits and plenty of others in the garden.
I feed every day, the garden is alive with such a variety.
Goldcrest and Blackcap visit this Morning.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bogus Dave on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 18:00:58
We had a woodpecker in our garden the other week and I lost. My. Shit.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: stfcjack on Thursday, April 22, 2021, 09:23:38
We have one of those wildlife cameras in our garden, amazing what we capture on it! Live in the middle of Covingham and regularly we get a couple of hedgehogs, a mouse and a fox visiting most nights! Also a blue tit has started nesting in one of our boxes!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bennett on Thursday, April 22, 2021, 10:22:14
We've got some pigeons making a nest in our hedgerow. I might set up a camera and prove baby pigeons exist


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, April 22, 2021, 10:27:57
We've got some pigeons making a nest in our hedgerow. I might set up a camera and prove baby pigeons exist

I see baby pigeons quite often as they have a habit of nesting in plant pots on balconies.

Ugly fuckers!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: pauld on Thursday, April 22, 2021, 11:38:09
We had a woodpecker in our garden the other week and I lost. My. Shit.
Have you tried looking in the cat litter pile? Might be in there.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Thursday, April 22, 2021, 11:44:21
.
https://youtu.be/A_IDGrKZ0Rs


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Thursday, June 3, 2021, 10:49:33
The plastic owls we bought and popped into the garden don't stop the pigeons popping in to mop up the seeds that have been dropped from the bird feeders. We try and get rid of them as much as possible but they make a hideous mess on the lawn, dirty feckers.

On a more positive note we have a family of blue tits that have made their homes in our bird boxes. I had a little look over the weekend and I'm sure I heard the tiny tweets of baby birds coming from it. I was a little too close as the mother came back and parked herself into the bush until I moved a couple of steps back. Only then would she pop into the box. Quite often I spend time just watching them coming and going into their box, there is something majestic about it. Funnily enough on a local news item they talked to the Springwatch pair and they said that Blue Tits hadn't been able to feed their young properly due to the rainy may. Hopefully ours will be ok and get the food they need.

I also love how the robins come and land so close to us when we are in the garden. Such amazing little birds.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: 4D on Thursday, June 3, 2021, 10:56:41
Better the pigeons mop it up instead of the rats  ;)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Thursday, June 3, 2021, 10:59:06
Better the pigeons mop it up instead of the rats  ;)

That's true. Although the blackbirds do give it a good go. Haven't seen any rats here yet!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Thursday, June 10, 2021, 10:16:20
Went into the garden this morning as there was a major rustling in one of the trees. As I walked towards it a crow flew away, and a load of pigeon feathers were on the grass. A pigeon has created a nest and was obviously fighting to protect her babies. There are now a load of crows and magpies (and other corvids which I probably have recognised incorrectly) loitering around for a quick feed. The magpies cry is bloody horrible!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, June 10, 2021, 10:38:49
Corvids are fucking brutal animals.

Fascinating and intelligent, but brutal.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, June 11, 2021, 09:14:55
Well the crow got its feed. Went out after work and there was a dozen pigeon feathers on the grass and an empty Pigeon nest.

In other bird news I'm fascinating by the blue tits. They are literally in and out of that box feeding their young. I read that a baby needs about 100 caterpillars a day and I reckon there is at least 3 babies in the box so their parents are in and out literally all day. I'm mesmerised by it! If I get too close they land in the nearby ivy bush and wait for me to move away. It's like my own personal springwatch!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, June 11, 2021, 09:18:33
I worked next to a blue tits nest a few years ago and the parents literally feed them from dawn to dusk and it's quite amazing to watch


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Moss on Friday, June 11, 2021, 09:37:26
I worked next to a blue tuts nest a few years ago and the parents literally feed them from dawn to dusk and it's quite amazing to watch


Tits, it's Tits


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: cired45 on Friday, June 11, 2021, 09:39:30
Interesting fable around the magpie and other corvids, at the crucifixion where all of beasts of the earth, fish from the sea, and birds of the air were summoned to appear at the crucifixion, the magpie was the only corvid that never attended, his punishment for not attending was that they would never be allowed to wear all black as the other corvids were.  Nice tail, but it doesn’t say anything about the Jay


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, June 11, 2021, 09:40:03

Tits, it's Tits

iPad playing up again😡


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, June 11, 2021, 09:49:06
iPad playing up again😡

Has it gone tuts up?


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Berniman on Friday, June 11, 2021, 11:10:28
:D


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Friday, June 11, 2021, 11:35:36
(https://i.postimg.cc/dVgDBbfk/71-E4-DB7-F-4-AD0-4-E4-A-9-E83-8-BC37-FF73-BB2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4LQ8Nbb)

Just had our nest of Nuthatches leave the nest. Crevice 30 foot up in the tree. Last year they took a nest box and cemented the hole with mud and pine needles to make it smaller after a woodpecker had previously made it bigger.

2 blue Tit boxes are about to leave and a Magpie has been waiting around to grab a few chicks when the time arises. No more as I have removed the Magpie this Morning ;)
Great Tits have taken a box up as well.

Blackbirds and Robins are everywhere and feeding them suet pellets.


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, June 11, 2021, 11:44:40
Great picture DOB!

Oh I hadn't even considered what might happen to the blue tit chicks when they brave the outside world. We don't get too many magpies in the garden but they crows have been hanging around a lot recently. The blackbirds and robins create some great singing throughout the day!

I'll be gutted for the mother and father who have literally fed them non-stop for the last 2 weeks or so if their offspring get eaten moments after leaving their box!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, June 11, 2021, 18:16:43
(https://i.postimg.cc/dVgDBbfk/71-E4-DB7-F-4-AD0-4-E4-A-9-E83-8-BC37-FF73-BB2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4LQ8Nbb)

Just had our nest of Nuthatches leave the nest. Crevice 30 foot up in the tree. Last year they took a nest box and cemented the hole with mud and pine needles to make it smaller after a woodpecker had previously made it bigger.

2 blue Tit boxes are about to leave and a Magpie has been waiting around to grab a few chicks when the time arises. No more as I have removed the Magpie this Morning ;)
Great Tits have taken a box up as well.

Blackbirds and Robins are everywhere and feeding them suet pellets.

Great photo Duke and you're blessed living in a country dwelling😀


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: scillyred on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 20:08:13
We currently have an Egyptian Vulture over here - only other British sightings were in 1825 & 1868 !
Us puffins are staying in our burrows  :eek:


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 20:10:14
I did see that on the news and an amazing bird


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Bennett on Thursday, June 17, 2021, 06:33:35
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-57483562

I had to concentrate and read "Peninnis Head" a few times!
Such an impressive bird!


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: scillyred on Thursday, June 17, 2021, 21:01:41
It's not a bird but we had a bloody walrus trying to get on the yachts moored in Porthcressa Bay this evening  8)


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Batch on Thursday, June 17, 2021, 21:55:53
Goo goo g'joob


Title: Re: Birds
Post by: Cookie on Thursday, June 17, 2021, 23:13:23
I've been in Pembrokeshire the past fortnight and have seen loads. Chough, guillemot, puffin, gannet, razorbill, shearwater, peregrine and possibly a shag (wahey).