Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Chatting on the Plot => Topic started by: New shoot on January 01, 2018, 11:18

Title: Bird watch
Post by: New shoot on January 01, 2018, 11:18
The garden robin has a rival, so fisticuffs this morning.  I also filled up the fatball feeder, so sparrows and starlings are alternatively squabbling over that.

My birds are starting 2018 all guns blazing  :lol:
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: robinahood on January 01, 2018, 16:40
Went for a stroll at a local nature reserve today, a kingfisher landed on a lake side branch about 10 feet away from me,  that was an unexpected pleasure!
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: snowdrops on January 01, 2018, 17:54
Robinahood,what a treat, I would love to see a kingfisher. I’ve stopped feeding the birds now I have my late mother’s cats,it’s just not fair on them, I do miss the robins & blackbirds we used to get.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 09, 2018, 23:26
Today's the daily visit by the pair of doves was as usual disturbed by the crows who chase them away from the bird table, then the starlings and the noisy robin

When my wife and i were walking to the allotment we saw 2 male bullfinches and a chaffinch in the bare trees so a welcoming sight, haven't seen wild bullfinches for ages round by us which is a great shame
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: LILLILEAF on January 10, 2018, 05:38
I do my bird watching in the evening as we have many owls around,the most beautiful is the barn owl i see most evenings,there must be plenty of food in the fields that surround our house :),i shall be doing the rspb bird watch again this year.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: snowdrops on January 10, 2018, 10:57
I spotted & heard a lovely robin perched high in the bare branches of one of the acers this morning, it was singing for all its worth & not a cat in sight 😊
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Eblana on January 10, 2018, 12:53
I have a very cheeky Robin in my garden who follows me everywhere and if I don't give him his food quickly enough I hear all about it.  I also have feeders out so I have lots of blue tits, greytits, starlings, blackbirds etc. plus two wood pidgeons (Fred and Bertha) who visit the garden regularly.

On Monday while walking the dogs on the golf course behind my house there was a flock of Curlews sitting on one of the greens, I have only ever seen single birds around here so was really pleasantly surprised to see so many.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: LILLILEAF on January 26, 2018, 05:49
RSPB bird watch this weekend,i have asked for the big bird watch pack,but for the second year running it never arrived :(why i have no idea,so i asked again they have failed again >:(,don't they want my support?.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: robinahood on January 26, 2018, 06:35
I live on the edge of the city and something I love to see and hear at dawn and dusk is rooks flying, presumably to and from their roost, whereabouts unknown to me. They are in loose groups high in the sky, and talking to each other. Yesterday I was off to work as day was breaking, looked up and saw that the rooks were murmurating, I thought that was just starlings! Almost made going to work a pleasure...
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: 8doubles on February 05, 2018, 11:56
I live on the edge of the city and something I love to see and hear at dawn and dusk is rooks flying, presumably to and from their roost, whereabouts unknown to me. They are in loose groups high in the sky, and talking to each other. Yesterday I was off to work as day was breaking, looked up and saw that the rooks were murmurating, I thought that was just starlings! Almost made going to work a pleasure...

Suprising how many corvids can gather at these winter roost sites , there used to be a belt of conifers just outside my home town that attracted hundreds of rooks, crows and jackdaws !
They really enjoy playing on a blustery day ! :)
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: New shoot on February 14, 2018, 12:44
I had a pair of wrens hopping round in the back garden this morning, calling to each other.  Such big voices for such little folk  :lol: 

Then a whole group of long tailed tits decended on the fatball feeder and were having a lovely time on there  :D
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: mumofstig on February 14, 2018, 12:57
I had my coffee in the greenhouse this morning and was watching the wrens darting about as well  :lol:
The birds don't seem to see me in there as long as I stay still, I don't know why that should be, but lets me see much more of them than I used to :)
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: DanielCoffey on February 27, 2018, 07:30
We moved to a rural location in South Ayrshire last year so have the chance to see a lot more birds around us than we used to in Edinburgh. Since many of them are a bit too far away to see with the naked eye and the iPad camera is too weak to zoom, last week I treated myself to a pair of 8x42 binoculars to have a better look. It turned out to be a great idea!

The first thing we used them for was to identify some Starling-sized birds in the neighbour's paddock. They were present in flocks of several dozen, looked from a distance about Starling sized but were too pale. Under the binos we could clearly see they were patterned like a Thrush but were only 2/3 sized. They had an orange patch under the folded wings and a light bar across the eyes. They were the winter Redwings which apparently come from Iceland to Scotland and then leave again in March.

We are also in one of the areas where the corvid "super-flocks" form in the evening. Several thousand birds congregate at dusk for about 10 minutes in the late Autumn and Winter to socialise. They are a mixed flock of mainly Jackdaws and make quite a mess! Spectacular though.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: sunshineband on February 27, 2018, 09:34
Look who came to visit: a male sparrowhawk
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: ghost61 on February 27, 2018, 12:51
OH got very excited whilst we had our morning coffee, as I pointed out a very small bird darting around in the arbutus - turns out it was a female goldcrest. Never seen before!

Every morning when I get up to sort out the hens, a ms,e blackbird and a couple of robins come to the garage door and wait for me to throw them some seed/ mealworms.  If they're not there, a quick whistle brings them flying in!  Bless!  Female blackbird is nest building too!

Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: rosiecider on March 23, 2018, 15:45
Pleased to hear the Lapwings back to their normal breeding field again this year, and loving the song of the Skylark enjoying the sun
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Goosegirl on May 05, 2018, 12:33
We've got a shell duck sitting on her eggs in our old hen shelter!
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: pigeonpie on May 19, 2018, 11:11
One of the nicest things about living in our new life is the new variety of wildlife we get to see. My most regular garden visitors at the moment are the wheatears and stonechats. They're constantly out feeding, and I'm pretty sure they're nesting in the garden wall.

We're also lucky enough to live in an area where we have both golden eagles, and the white-tailed sea eagle. We're pretty sure the sea eagle is nesting just a few fields away, round near the cliffs facing the sea. Mr (or Mrs) eagle is spending a lot of his time flying back and forth taking food back to the nest so we're crossing everything that they have some eggs or some young...
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Goosegirl on June 05, 2018, 15:31
Loads of starlings with their young, some chiff-chaffs, and two baby tits in an upright uncovered water pump pipe that I used to stand my hanging basket on. How they're still alive is a complete mystery to me as it's made of black cast iron and must get so hot unless it acts like a funnel so the heat rises out. Pheasants, skylarks, goldfinches, doves, mallards and various warblers are also here.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: sunshineband on June 05, 2018, 17:31
Lovely to see some fledglings now: robins, blackbirds,  and young swifts now joining their parents in the sky
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: 8doubles on July 01, 2018, 10:35
The strawberries are nearly over , had a quick check as i put the odd couple of late ones in a tub in the freezer but nothing to be seen !
 The hen Blackbird turns up and finds a good size strawb in seconds !

Good for her! :nowink:
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: DanielCoffey on July 03, 2018, 10:29
This was our unexpected visitor today... I heard a light bang on the living room window and this juvenile Treecreeper was sitting on the floor, blinking. The parents were calling from the trees above.

I took the photo through the glass and kept an eye on it for a few minutes. Pretty shortly it recovered and was gone.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Goosegirl on July 20, 2018, 14:14
Today I've seen blackbirds having a drink and a bath in our waterfall feature plus several pied wagtails flying all over the lawn. As it's raining nicely there must be lots of insects for them at the moment.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: snowdrops on July 21, 2018, 06:41
I think the blackbird family from 2 hedges away has fledged as the parents have stopped’pinking’ at my 2 cats, it got a bit wearing day in day out for about 6/8 weeks . I hope they choose somewhere less fraught to build their next nest. Although they brought attention to themselves by making the racket, if they’d have stayed quiet I don5 think the cats would have noticed them 🙄
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: sunshineband on July 21, 2018, 08:41
Young kites have now joined the flock in the sky, and yesterday one landed on our garage roof... not quite got the timing for scoop-as-you-go yet!
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Fairy Plotmother on July 21, 2018, 11:38
I am quite excited as we have spotted a red kite in the sky above us over the last two weeks. We are only a few miles from London. They must be branching out from the neighbouring county where they were re-introduced a number of years ago.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: DanielCoffey on July 26, 2018, 21:49
Another thump on the window yesterday morning and we have a rather confused Willow Warbler. It was fine and flew off seconds after I got the photo.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: sunshineband on July 27, 2018, 16:52
Heard a Green Woodpecker shouting down at the plot yesterday, then as it flew across in front of us realised it was a youngster... so they have bred successfully again this year, which is good to know  :D :D
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Goosegirl on September 16, 2018, 16:59
We've seen a few remaining swallows and also some geese flying over.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: snowdrops on September 17, 2018, 21:21
Couple of weeks ago I heard bird calls that I thought I recognised but couldn’t place & couldn’t see any sign of a bird, then over a week I heard them again & again. Eventually I spotted them ...red kites... was so excited
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Goosegirl on October 02, 2018, 12:42
Loads of goldfinches on our bird feeders yesterday.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: DanielCoffey on November 05, 2018, 17:53
A Goldcrest got confused by our double glazing (again) today and lightly stunned itself. It ended up perched on the timber right outside the window and I was able to get the camera right up to it on the inside of the glass. Britain's smallest bird, apparently. Six grams of fluff with a beak.

After a couple of minutes resting it was off...
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: snowdrops on November 05, 2018, 18:49
I spotted a pheasant (live) by the side of the road on my travels today, you forget what lovely colours they are
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: DanielCoffey on November 05, 2018, 19:22
We have a group of three male pheasants that come to feed in our garden and their backs and wings all differ in colour. They are alert, of course, but pretty unconcerned providing we stand still indoors.

Their tiny brains are completely baffled by the standard wire stockproof fence. They can get their heads and necks through then back off, run a few feet to the left and try again... and again. Back and forth. The girls seem a little better at finding the low spots in the ground and squeezing under.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Goosegirl on November 14, 2018, 14:46
We have our goldfinches, sparrows and starlings a-plenty plus a lovely coloured pheasant and saw a lone little white egret in a field today.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Goosegirl on January 12, 2019, 15:36
Yesterday we saw a woodpecker on one of our trees, then later there was a barn owl flying around with an occasional rest on a fence post. Wonderful!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Goosegirl on January 16, 2019, 13:16
We saw a buzzard with a kill in the field next to us, but they are quite lazy birds so it may have already been killed by something else.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on January 22, 2019, 15:29
Walking along the Prom yesterday, I was amazed to see pretty Wagtails.   I know they are ground feeds, so I guess they enjoy all the little crumbs , that are left over from others who feed the seagulls.   They were very tame and not in the least bit scared by me standing very close and watching.   Maybe they nest in the big tamarisk bushes all along the front.   They made me smile.  :)  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: RubyRed on February 09, 2019, 07:53
   We have 15 various nest boxes around the garden including 1 of 2 kinds to encourage swallows. We have never been lucky as they never venture this end of the village i suppose because all the farms with their muddy ponds are at the other end. Since we put them up though a few years ago we have had sweet little sparrows take them up. I noticed this a couple of days ago they had "bagged" their spot again for the year. Female was poking her head out and the male was standinding on the gutter. It brought to mind a holiday resort with Germans throwing a towel over the sunloungers. It's mine haha.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Goosegirl on February 11, 2019, 11:35
We get loads of white swans on the nearby fields but yesterday we had our first black one!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: DanielCoffey on February 14, 2019, 17:07
I know most folks attract birds by putting out nuts and seeds but we have the occasional visitor that tries to serve themselves and hits the glass instead. Fortunately they are usually just stunned for about ten minutes or so and then make their way off muttering darkly about window reflections.

Today's visitor is a Dunnock. Sparrow-sized, shy but they sing nicely. Oh, and dodo all over the decking while recovering.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: sunshineband on February 14, 2019, 21:01
We have a green & yellow parakeet visiting feeders here (not ours as it is too close to the house) which escaped from an aviary two years ago. It is not a rose ring-neck one, but larger than that. Looks very healthy and takes no nonsense from cats, either, making a good job of seeing them off!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: RubyRed on February 15, 2019, 19:50
I know most folks attract birds by putting out nuts and seeds but we have the occasional visitor that tries to serve themselves and hits the glass instead. Fortunately they are usually just stunned for about ten minutes or so and then make their way off muttering darkly about window reflections.

Today's visitor is a Dunnock. Sparrow-sized, shy but they sing nicely. Oh, and dodo all over the decking while recovering.
   Before you have a tragedy buy some stickers to put on your glass. You obviously have a problem ,as you mention 2 birds within a few days. Our biggest heartbreak was a nuthatch that flew into the window and died. We had only seen it once before  a few days before the tragic accident. I cried loads and couldn't bear to dispose of such a gorgeous bird in the bin so buried the poor mite. We have stickers now on the worse Windows but can't be everywhere. We still lose a few sparrows and a couple of young blackbirds. It's so sad.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: DanielCoffey on February 16, 2019, 07:14
We tend to get one bird every couple of months by my reckoning and have had one fatality that we are aware of in two years which was a Tree Creeper.

I think that stickers are not going to be sensible in our situation. Due to the design of our house we have a very large areas of glass in one room down to floor level as it was designed for providing a view for a wheelchair user. I know that dot stickers and similar can help with bird impacts but the neighbour's working farm cats get way more furry and feathery critters than we do. If we put planters with shrubs against the windows we will lose the rural view that we have.

It may be thought a little selfish but we can help a bit by letting the birds recover quietly. We don't approach the stunned birds while they are recovering. Most of my pics have been taken from inside and they don't seem to register my presence for the first few minutes so hopefully they are not too disturbed.

Thanks for the suggestion though. It is appreciated.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on February 24, 2019, 10:43
The tits are back and checking out the box.  However, there has been a bit of a punch-up, the sparrow gang have decided to have a look around for themselves.   They can not get completely in the hole - why don't they go to their own sparrow box.  :wacko:  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: DanielCoffey on March 10, 2019, 10:00
These two are clearly incorrectly dressed for the weather...
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: greenjay on April 22, 2019, 15:43
heard the cuckoo for the first time this year.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Goosegirl on April 24, 2019, 13:31
Heard chiff-chaffs, skylarks and a buzzard then saw several swallows flying around.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on July 21, 2019, 10:58
Just seen a largish bird on garden gate and few feet away. I thought it was a wood pigeon, but queried my thought and got the bins out.  Studied my bird books and I think it was a Sparrowhawk.  ( The other  choice could be a juvenile cuckoo, but the head and eye wasn't right)  Very beautiful.  then it flew away in the direction of were the sparrows are nesting in the eaves.    I wonder …….     Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: 8doubles on July 25, 2019, 18:55
Just seen a largish bird on garden gate and few feet away. I thought it was a wood pigeon, but queried my thought and got the bins out.  Studied my bird books and I think it was a Sparrowhawk.  ( The other  choice could be a juvenile cuckoo, but the head and eye wasn't right)  Very beautiful.  then it flew away in the direction of were the sparrows are nesting in the eaves.    I wonder …….     Mrs Bouquet

The beak should be a dead give away for ID, straight for Cuckoo or Pigeon and hooked for a Spar .
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on July 25, 2019, 21:22
Thanks for that info, it was definitely a Sparrowhawk   Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: 8doubles on February 22, 2020, 15:03
Lots of Red Kites around yesterday, usually all Buzzards in this area .
I suspect their normal hunting grounds are underwater :nowink:
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: DanielCoffey on April 06, 2020, 18:16
Well you could knock me down with a feather... I have just seen the first House Martin and it was in South Ayrshire too! That is really, really early for them!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: greenjay on April 08, 2020, 21:08
first ones back as Tuesday just gone here
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: greenjay on April 18, 2020, 20:16
other half heard the cuckoo for the first time.
I can see it was the 22nd last year so nearly a week earlier
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: dugless on May 05, 2020, 08:47
I had my birdbath at the top of the garden it was hardly used, moved it down near the house used a lot???
Starling invasion on the lawn this morning. We did not have many birds when we first moved here 4 years ago but after regular putting seed and wireworms out we now have quite a few, a garden is nothing without birds
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Yorkie on May 05, 2020, 21:47
Was looking out of the front window this morning, when I saw what I think was a sparrow flying straight at it, followed closely by a sizeable member of the crow family.  I think the sparrow's wings may just have touched the window as it did a 90 degree turn; the crow's wings certainly thumped the window as it turned.

I didn't see whether the crow did catch the sparrow - there would only have been a few inches between them - but it didn't half shake me up for a short while  :ohmy:

I could hear the sparrow family all twittering away in anxiety in the holly bush at the front of the garden.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: robinahood on May 15, 2020, 06:12
Since lockdown I have had much more time to be at the plot, as other half is furloughed and I am working from home. It has never looked so good! We have our own hedged plot and never get near anyone else. It has been lovely just to watch the birds doing their thing. A couple of weeks ago I made a very makeshift pond, just 3 polystyrene boxes sat together. So many birds use it to drink from and bathe in, I love watching bunches of house sparrows there. The sound of them takes me back to days at home when they used to nest in a big clematis we had. Their numbers seem to be going up again around here, so I will let them nibble my beetroot seedlings, or some of them!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: dugless on May 22, 2020, 20:09
From having very little birds here when we came we now have several types these last two weeks a flock of Starlings has raided the lawn several times a day. When the birdbath we have was at the bottom of the garden the birds hardly used it I moved it to a flower border near the house they not only drink from it but bathe while we watch from the kitchen window about 3 Mts away.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on May 30, 2020, 11:28
my neighbour has a bird feeder and it is interesting to watch how different birds use it.    The rooks keep on bashing one of the tubes until the seeding fall into the little collecting area.    The starling mummy brings her baby who sits on the top of the tube and she takes out the seeds and feeds it.   Must find out which sort of feed is in that one.     Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: chrissie B on June 26, 2020, 15:56
We just have the usual spuggies pigeons
Seagulls but have been adopted for 3 or days by a pidgeon white and grey.
Chrissie b
Title: Re: Bird watch (variety pack)
Post by: Subversive_plot on July 02, 2020, 11:21
We have quite a (North American) assortment.

We have seed feeders that attract northern cardinals, chickadees, house finches, goldfinches, tufted titmouse, Carolina wrens, creepers, and a few others.  We also have a couple "nectar" feeders that are just for hummingbirds (ruby-throated, our only kind; tiny and bold as brass, they engage in aerial dog-fights).

There is a pair of red-shouldered hawks that nested in our back garden last year, but preferred my neighbor's trees this year.  Their calling (screeching) will wake you if the chickens don't.  A red-tailed hawk (larger than a red-shouldered) visited last week, joined up with a mate, then the pair moved on.  Common ravens mob both the red-shouldered and red-tailed.  Our owls are mostly barred owls, which caterwaul like lunatics if you get two or more of them together at night.  All of them are good for snake and "tree rat" control.

We have two types of vultures here, turkey vultures and black vultures.  They bother no one, and no one bothers them.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on July 05, 2020, 11:49
A little bird has been sitting atop the garden gate about 3 feet from my back door.    I wonder if it might be a juvenile sparrow, but it is very black with a white chest.  It is looking at insects as they fly by and opening its beak hoping they will fly in.
It has been there now for about 60 minutes, and not at all frightened of me inside the back door.  It is wobbling when the wind gusts, and sometimes stretches its wings.    So sweet, but I need to go out of the door ! - oh, its just gone -  arh.     Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on July 11, 2020, 08:48
Now that I’ve finally rehomed my late mother’s 2 cats( 4 & a bit years,secretly I do miss them a bit) I’ve reinstated the bird feeder & I’m enjoying seeing what we get. So far blackbirds,but on the ground feeding of course, starlings hoovering up the meal worms but on the fat ball feeder as well, a magpie on the fat balls as well, a few sparrows & a Robin. It’s really amazing how quickly they’ve found the feeder tree thing & how quickly we saw an increase in birds in the garden once the cats have gone. I can see bird food is going to be more expensive than the cats at this rate lol
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on July 11, 2020, 08:50
Forgot to say I’m going to get the binoculars out & put some in the conservatory & bedroom so I can get a better look at them. Oh & yesterday our little grandson visited , he’s very observant & straight away noticed the bird feeder with a pigeon on.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mumofstig on July 11, 2020, 12:21
There's a new batch of sparrow fledglings chattering away and pecking at everything in the garden veg bed, this morning :)
As much as I love to see them, they set about a row of swede seedlings   ::) I hope I got the covers on in time so they'll regrow.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Mr Dog on July 18, 2020, 11:04
Not garden birds, but we enjoyed our annual trip to Bempton to see the sea birds yesterday
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Mr Dog on July 18, 2020, 11:28
I was wondering why Mrs Pheasant was being quite vocal till I spotted these.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on July 18, 2020, 20:11
I have been trying to capture a proper photograph of our ruby-throated hummingbirds, to no avail.

We have at least a half dozen that visit feeders in our garden.  They are tiny, about 3 inches long, and weigh only slightly over a tenth of an ounce (about the weight of a penny). The problem photographing them is that they are highly active (mostly a blur in snaps), and rarely come to rest except fairly high in our trees.  The feathers on their backs and sides are irridescent green in sunlight, but appear dull gray in the shade. Only the males get the ruby throats, and these appear black in shade, but flash brilliant metallic red in the sun (think ruby red sequins). I have one photo that I might try to post later, but the bird is in shade, and just looks like a small gray bird.  Better yet, look for good photos online posted by a proper photographer.

They are fun to watch this time of year.  In the spring you mostly see adults going about their business. Starting in July, the juveniles start flying, so you see many more birds.  They always seem to be dog fighting; they are very acrobatic flyers.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on July 19, 2020, 06:39
I was wondering why Mrs Pheasant was being quite vocal till I spotted these.

Good camouflage
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on July 19, 2020, 06:42
Sub, when’s I visited my sister in the West Indies years ago I was amazed how quick & tiny the hummingbirds were, they really are very beautiful, how lovely to have them visit your garden. I think that’s where JK Rowling got the idea for the flying keys in one of the Harry Potter books
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Mr Dog on July 19, 2020, 14:00
I was wondering why Mrs Pheasant was being quite vocal till I spotted these.

Good camouflage

Yes, took me a while to figure out there were 7 of them settling down there! I didn't hang around nearby for long but checked before I went home that none had got caught up in the butterfly netting.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on December 12, 2020, 16:09
I am really disappointed.  I bought a small plastic bird feeder to go on my kitchen window to watch them as I sit here and work.  Nothing not a tweet,  moved it to a pergola post, still nothing.    This morning I have moved it to the garage window.    How long now will it be if they come at all. :(  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: jezza on January 14, 2021, 14:51
Hello just had a Bullfinch eating Nigella seed in the front garden  it flew before I could take a photo jezza
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: New shoot on January 20, 2021, 12:23
Goldfinches  :)

One of my close neighbours loved birds and fed all sorts. He had a nigella seed feeder which attracted loads of them.  Sadly he passed away so I went and bought a feeder and took over feeding responsibilities. After weeks of waiting, they have finally decided it is safe and started using it  :D

I already had a fat ball feeder for the blue tits and sparrows, plus make sure the robins and blackbirds don’t go short.  The female blackbird must be getting ready to start nesting soon. She is waiting each morning and quite insistent. I get shouted at for feeding the chickens first  ::)
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: wighty on January 20, 2021, 19:47
We drive up the 'Milly' (Military Road) along the west coast of the Island every day, we always slow down in one particular area so we can look out for the buzzard sitting on a fence post.  We are rarely disappointed.   I've been as close as two feet to him/her albeit from inside our van.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on January 21, 2021, 13:22
Thats fantastic.  I can see a pair flying high over me, but as near as I get is with the binoculars.  Mrs B
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Aidy on February 02, 2021, 20:26
Here is a couple of photo's of a Starling visiting my new bird table....
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on February 09, 2021, 12:36
My poor birds have got bent beaks, they keep coming down to the water tray, which is frozen.   I keep going down and clearing and putting out fresh, then I guess they are nervous and wont come back.  ::)  I can only do my best.   Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: bobbyt on February 09, 2021, 15:49
Two robins feeding on the bird table today, guessing must be a pair as not fighting or chasing each other off ! I'm told its hard to tell difference between male and female robins, same with goldfinches.

Not much action at my feeding stations for a while now, used to fill up every 3 or 4 days, its now about every ten, not sure if they've been spooked by cats or something, because I thought there would be more feeding on cold days. Anyone else noticed a difference?
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Debz on February 10, 2021, 11:31
My children got the stick on window feeders for part of their Christmas.  The starlings have discovered the food and they make an incredible noise with their feet as they land to eat.  A couple of blue tits and great tits have also found the supply but the biggest joy is the scatter food I put out in the morning.  I lose count of how many birds feed on the grass. 
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Kleftiwallah on February 10, 2021, 12:01
We're lucky to have a few buzzards living in a wood a couple of miles away and it is always pleasant to see them wheeling and hear them calling in the summer sky.

Cheers,  Tony.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on February 10, 2021, 12:24
My little feathered friends have got the message and came down today after I emptied out the ice and topped up.       Busy in the garden today.   Blue tits, pecking on the old gnarled trunk of the grapevine.  A couple of sparrows fighting over a fluffy feather on the grass.  Blackbirds, wood pigeons and the cheeky little robin.
There are a pair of buzzards that circle overhead, they are huge.    All lovely to see.    Mrs B
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on March 22, 2021, 18:56
I witnessed one of those 'wild kingdom' moments, just a few minutes ago.  I was drawn to the calling of one of our resident red-shouldered hawks, up in a pine tree.  Under it's call, was the scream of a small less fortunate creature (I'll leave the rest to your imagination . . . move along  :ohmy:).

Every creature has to eat.  And feed it's babies, which are in a nest in one of the nearby trees.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on March 28, 2021, 19:35
I just spotted the first hummingbird of the year in my garden!

She is about three weeks earlier than the first one last spring. I promptly filled and set out a hummingbird feeder for her (based on the plumage, definitely a female).
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: greenjay on April 20, 2021, 20:48
Heard the cuckoo for the first time this year whilst walking the dog.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mumofstig on April 20, 2021, 20:53
Blackbird is building a nest in the hedge behind the greenhouse. She doesn't mind me when I'm inside it, but doesn't like it when I'm out in the garden  :D
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on April 21, 2021, 17:34
Since I no longer have my mother’s cats I’ve started feeding the birds again, I’ve had the feeder in a few places & now seem to have found the place the birds are comfortable with  :D and I can still reach it to fill it, they’re not yet eating me out of house & home, but recently I’ve spotted 1 or 2 robins, a starling,a bluetit & couple of blackbirds or so I thought but my neighbour informs me that the one that has a few white feathers on its neck is called something else a something wurzel or something like that, you might know ?
Plus we keep getting a little wren flitting down to the pond edge & disappearing under a plant a few times a day.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on April 25, 2021, 15:43
Since I no longer have my mother’s cats I’ve started feeding the birds again, I’ve had the feeder in a few places & now seem to have found the place the birds are comfortable with  :D and I can still reach it to fill it, they’re not yet eating me out of house & home, but recently I’ve spotted 1 or 2 robins, a starling,a bluetit & couple of blackbirds or so I thought but my neighbour informs me that the one that has a few white feathers on its neck is called something else a something wurzel or something like that, you might know ?
Plus we keep getting a little wren flitting down to the pond edge & disappearing under a plant a few times a day.

The "wurzel" is in fact a Ring Ouzel. They are a species of the Thrushes (Turdidae) family as per the Blackbird. They do not feed at bird tables. Currently, Ring Ouzels are migrating through Britain to their moorland breeding grounds. The black bird with the white feathers is a leucism Blackbird. 

Edit to clarify quote 
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on April 25, 2021, 16:16
Gloucester Boy, thank you so much, I spoke to my neighbour again & got the correct name from him for tge ring ouzel & looked it up & as you say it's not one of those, also thank you for the correct identification. Of course I’ve not seen it since  :lol:
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on May 22, 2021, 11:15
The ruby-throated hummingbirds left us in early April, I suspect they were some stopping off on their migration further north.

Others have returned now, these are behaving like they intend to stay. We have 3 feeders out, and when the hummingbirds are not having dogfights, they are feeding from all three.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on May 22, 2021, 14:47
I have never seen a humming-bird for real, except in an aviary.    They must be fun to watch.  Enjoy,   Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on May 23, 2021, 07:48
Since I no longer have my mother’s cats I’ve started feeding the birds again, I’ve had the feeder in a few places & now seem to have found the place the birds are comfortable with  :D and I can still reach it to fill it, they’re not yet eating me out of house & home, but recently I’ve spotted 1 or 2 robins, a starling,a bluetit & couple of blackbirds or so I thought but my neighbour informs me that the one that has a few white feathers on its neck is called something else a something wurzel or something like that, you might know ?
Plus we keep getting a little wren flitting down to the pond edge & disappearing under a plant a few times a day.

The "wurzel" is in fact a Ring Ouzel. They are a species of the Thrushes (Turdidae) family as per the Blackbird. They do not feed at bird tables. Currently, Ring Ouzels are migrating through Britain to their moorland breeding grounds. The black bird with the white feathers is a leucism Blackbird. 

Edit to clarify quote 

Isn’t it funny how it happens when you’ve never heard of a place or name etc & then you hear it lots. Last week or the week before on Country file there was a piece on the Ring Ouzel lol so now I’m very well informed should I ever see one. Thank you again GB
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Plot 6B on June 12, 2021, 20:19
A birds nest in our Rhubarb.  A first and no harvesting at this moment in time!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on July 12, 2021, 12:00
A few days ago a Sparrow Hawk was sitting on my wall at the bottom of the garden.   I have seen him there just once before.  He dived off the wall, into the garden behind me which is a bit wild.  I thought he had spotted a mouse or something.    A little while later, another was sitting on the wall, but I couldn't identify if it was a female or maybe a baby.      A privilege and I spent a good while just watching with my "bins" well focused.  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mumofstig on July 12, 2021, 12:29
This year there doesn't seem to be as many sparrows as usual, but I've really noticed more Robins in the garden, and on the allotments.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on July 14, 2021, 11:45
Lots of sparrow gangs.  But not sure if I have seen a robin.   My neighbour feeds in the in open, so it is mainly crows and wood pigeons.  I don't know why she does it.    Sometimes a blackbird comes for a bath.  Magpies also.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on July 14, 2021, 14:11
Finally heard the red kites again & managed to locate them way up on high, but by the time I’d got the binoculars focused they’d gone :(. Not seen or heard them this year I don’t think, last year they went over almost like clockwork 11am & then back again at 4pm, but today it was about 1:30pm.
Sadly last night I found a dead bird on the grass, looked like it could be a young Robin.
I’m getting a few sparrows on the feeders most days & there is a Robin who visits regularly but nothing as regularly as the collared dove/pigeon.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on August 10, 2021, 17:02
About 4pm I took my coffee down the garden, and as I looked up I saw the two Buzzard.  They seem to be here every year about this time and stay until October.  They may be here all the time, but that is when I see them.
I did the same rushed in for bin's and when I came back out I couldn't see them.   They really are huge.  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Growster... on August 10, 2021, 17:41
They're fabulous birds, Mrs B!

Years ago, I was living in Wales, and they were always perched on telegraph poles in the Brecon Beacons and around there!

We do have a few close by, but rarely see them as they roost in the woods a mile or so away!

Their 'fingers' are a delight to see!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on August 21, 2021, 13:40
The sparrow hawk was sitting on the fence again today.  there are a few neglected gardens around, so I am sure he must be happy here.  Mrs B
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Growster... on August 22, 2021, 18:14
We get a family of ravens which love the bell tower of the church nearby, but in fact, roost in the pitched roof of a neighbour's house!

They'll grab any bread going, and while they're 'bullies' for much of the time, they are good for the stale bread we give them, and we rather like them as they look great when their young are around! Our JRT hates them and barks every time she sees them plundering the bird table!

A chum had an uncle who was a local vicar, and he taught a tame bird to say 'Nice sermon', as nobody else thought he was that good...
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on January 26, 2022, 09:14
Came across this tree full of black vultures on last night's walk. Our little dog finds any large black bird absolutely fascinating.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: greenjay on April 20, 2022, 12:49
The summer visitors are back. Heard the cuckoo today and also noticed the house Martins swooping and diving.
Title: Re: Bird watch 2018
Post by: Rob the rake on April 29, 2022, 02:25
Robinahood,what a treat, I would love to see a kingfisher.

As a lifelong angler I've often had the company of kingfishers. The resident birds on one small lake complex regularly landed on the tip of any rods in rests extending beyond the reeds and using them as a perch from which to launch themselves at the local tiddler population. When I say resident, I assume that they were resident on the little river/beck close by but weren't above slumming it on the fishing lakes!

On one memorable occasion, whilst walking the banks of the Ouse near York, armed with  pike spinning rod and net, a kingfisher set up shop mere feet away atop a bankside bush and proceeded to give me a fishing lesson. Its dives into the water were so rapid that it seemed to disappear and reappear on its perch without any intervening time having passed at all. This continued for perhaps a half hour before it moved on, although in line with other magical experiences like this, it seemed to happen in a realm outside of normal time. It was truly enchanting.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Rob the rake on April 29, 2022, 02:40
My resident allotment robin has become seriously tame. Although I've yet to persuade it to take food from the hand it will dart down to snatch small worms flicked just a few feet in front of me, before taking up its nearby perch again.

We seem to have come to some sort of arrangement. Robin appears whenever I turn over more than a thimbleful of earth and announces its arrival with a flurry of wings and a small chirrup. I voice a softly-spoken hello and it takes up station, with cocked head, on the far side of the bed under cultivation. If it's feeling particularly brave it'll take small wrigglers from virtually under my nose, but generally it will move to a bush or fence just a few feet away and sing loudly as my cue to go into the greenhouse out of its way while it does the robin equivalent of the Lambada up and down the dug patch of ground. Once it's had its fill and flown off, I'm allowed out again to dig some more and the process is then repeated as often as the bird thinks is necessary. It's a lovely experience!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: jezza on May 03, 2022, 07:22
Hello has any one seen a Swallow yet they are usually around our house 19th April not seen any yet ,I've got a Wren nesting in a wicker basket 8 feet from the back door,haven't seen the bull finch this year since the nesting areas been bulldozed and built on ,Robin's nesting in next doors log pile it's very friendly it perches on your shoulder when kneeling down weeding,and we call him William has he has a white w between the red and brown ,we have a black bird loves chocolate digestive  buiscuits he's  just trying chocolate hobnobs wont look at them if they havent been dunked in tea   jezza
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on May 04, 2022, 03:37
I saw the first ruby-throated hummingbird of the season at our feeder today!  It's a little later than usual.  Maybe because it's been a cool spring so far this year?
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Kleftiwallah on May 06, 2022, 10:04
I thought I saw a swallow/housmartin/swift but it turned out to be a rook practising aerobatics!  As Father Ted says "These are small, but those are faaar away!

Cheers,  Tony.

P.S.  Poseaur chefs cooking carrots - do you eat the green stalks ? ? ?
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on May 06, 2022, 12:23
I saw my first of the season Barn Swallow on the 28/04. All expected species of the hirundines family are here now. And some have already started new broods. I've included a photo of the Blue Tit family (taken this morning). The box attached to my garden shed. Both adult birds are working frantically feeding their brood. Another week perhaps? They should have fledged. A couple of weeks ago I counted 10 eggs. I can now only count 5 mouths!!!!   
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on May 10, 2022, 14:18
An update of the Blue Tit chicks. Photo included taken today. Certainly mark changes of both size and colour compared to only 4/5 days ago. Thankfully this warm sunny weather with no rain, no good for us gardeners, ideal conditions for chick food. I think I can detect a 6th mouth at the back?????? My records indicate as per the recent news, birds are definitely breeding earlier. 2 weeks earlier with this current Blue Tit brood.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Rob the rake on May 10, 2022, 23:31
I seem to have a new friend on the plot, even bolder than the robins.

Barry blackbird has become very tame, often working the chipping path on one side of a bed as I work on the other, but he's surpassed himself the last couple of days. I'll often sit on my little wicker stool in the back of the big greenhouse, contemplating the meaning of life. Yesterday there was a rattle on the door bar and Barry came in, poking his head round the corner of the island bed and giving me the eye. He retreated and I assumed he'd leave, but instead came up the other side of the bed, working the chipping path and gobbling any goodies. He then came round to my side and repeated the process, getting within half a yard of my feet before taking fright and legging it. Today he was already in there when I went for a sit down, hiding 'neath the stool! I took pictures of him which I'll post if I ever work out how to. Can anyone suggest a useful editing tool for reducing photo file sizes, or is it possible to link directly these days?
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on May 11, 2022, 14:18
Can anyone suggest a useful editing tool for reducing photo file sizes, or is it possible to link directly these days?

Obviously I don't know what ways and means you have for taking photos? But me? I use an Android smartphone to take photo. Send photo from my smartphone via my hotmail email address to my hotmail email address. To enable access to photo from other devices. Prior to sending I'm prompted to "select compression size"? KBs or MBs? I don't have any editing tool(s). Hope this helps?
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Rob the rake on May 11, 2022, 21:45
Driving home from the lottie at dusk along a lovely country lane I found myself, for just a few glorious moments, gliding alongside a barn owl which was skimming the adjacent hedge mere feet away. What a magnificent bird and a wonderful experience. It's times like these when I wish for the eloquence of a master wordsmith to convey the beauty of it. Had a lump in my throat...
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Rob the rake on May 14, 2022, 22:44
Blackbirds nesting in thick ivy covering the fence about 6 feet from our patio doors. Mrs B in and out like a fiddler's elbow with beak full of nesting materials. Last year we didn't clock the nesting site but got to watch the fledglings being taught on the lawn and the feeders. One of them - as fat as butter - refused to leave home and sulked mightily when mum and dad wouldn't feed it any more. Threw itself to the ground with wings half spread and kept sneaking a look to where the parents were helping themselves to a scoff to see if they'd noticed! The baby robins were beautiful and fearless; the blue tits unbearably cute! Hoping for goldie babies this year - with 16 feeders in use on 4 poles it's not uncommon to have ten or more goldfinches on the feeders with the same number queueing up for a go. Squabbles are commonplace! Lots of greenfinches this year, so hoping to see some chicks. I bet they're gorgeous.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on May 17, 2022, 10:31
An update of the Blue Tit chicks. This morning they've all gone. So, a successful brood. Brilliant. Unfortunately I didn't witness the exodus. So, no photo evidence. The 2016 brood I did manage to see and record. I've included a photo of one of the chicks. I would like to think him/her are related in some way to this current brood. The photo was taken on the 6th June. A good 2 weeks later than the current brood.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on July 05, 2022, 13:46
Two wood pigeons have been trying to build a nest in a Photinia tree.  She sits there and he flies in with twigs bigger than he is.  She moves and the twigs fall to the ground.  I pick them up all day and leave them together, then he picks them up and off we go again.  Just now I see she is sitting in the little tree and he is sitting beside her give her a little kiss.  I talk to them and they are very tame now and quite sweet.  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on July 06, 2022, 21:34
Spotted a wren flitting around the garden this morning which was nice to see, hope there’s a nest somewhere or thereabouts like last year. Then this afternoon spotted about 5 swifts (I think) swooping around, not seen them over the garden before.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: DanielCoffey on September 16, 2022, 16:41
Looks like it was Mother and Daughter day today. The little one was very timid but mum was making reassuring noises. Since I stayed still she came forward and had a look at what mum was eating.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Hampshire Hog on September 25, 2022, 11:49
Interesting sight last evening just filling my watering can at home when I heard an unusual cry. Looked up at the top of a very large tree on the railway embankment behind my neighbours house. Sitting there on a branch was a Red Kite, just as I was thinking about fetching my camera it swooped down and off it went. Just amazing to see one at rest rather than just circling looking for prey.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Hampshire Hog on September 30, 2022, 20:13
Second chance on Wednesday photographed the Red kite out of our spare bedroom window. Just managed to take 4 shots this time. Hopefully it will return and I can get some photos of it in flight.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 20, 2022, 13:23
There are hardly any birds to watch here now.   New neighbours behind my garden, have taken a chain saw to all the trees and shrubs in their garden to ground level.    Now the hundreds of sparrows have all gone.  I fill the bird bath everyday and this morning one blackbird went in for a good bath.   It made me so happy.
I have seen the buzzards wheeling overhead.  It seems as if they are on thermals as thei r wings don't move.
They must be conserving energy as well.   :D   Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: DanielCoffey on March 16, 2023, 14:04
Well I think we can definitely say Spring is Sprung! Any thoughts on what she is saying to us?
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mumofstig on March 16, 2023, 16:02
There are a lot of birds in the hedge, but the trouble is.... the Magpies know all about it  >:(

I know it is just nature, but I don't have to like what they do.....
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: greenjay on April 15, 2023, 20:06
Heard the cuckoo when walking the dog last night.
Also saw a single swallow earlier this week.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on April 21, 2023, 16:41
Well the Blue Tits are back. I peeped in the box earlier this week and counted 6 eggs. Not bothered them since. Unfortunately this current cold weather spell will undoubtedly curtail available food for the hatchlings as and when they appear. We shall see.   
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on May 03, 2023, 17:45
Feeding frenzy. Chicks have hatched!!!!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Glosterboy on May 21, 2023, 13:54
The attached photo was taken on the 18/05. This morning the nest is empty. I did count 6 eggs initially. So a reasonable brood bearing in mind the adverse weather conditions we have experienced. The 2022 brood fledged on the 17/05. So 4 days later this year. Blue Tits only have one brood each year. Clean out the nest box now and wait hopefully for next year??
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on May 21, 2023, 18:00
How lovely, didn’t know they only had 1brood a year, so thank you for that info
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on June 02, 2023, 17:01
I have a wood pigeon who is nesting about 2 metres from the house in a Robinia Tree.  I can look closely at her and say hallo, but I am worried she has been there about 3 weeks.  No signs of eggs or babies, but how is she surviving for food and drink, she never moves  ?   Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on June 09, 2023, 14:12
I didn't realise that both Mum and Dad wood pigeons share the nest duties.   I found a neatly broken egg shell under thr tree yesterday.   I wonder if there is a baby.   M and D both still there.   :)  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: mrs bouquet on June 12, 2023, 14:47
She has got two babys, and I can look into the tree and watch her feeding them.  I don't really like w/p's but these have become my little family  -   I am so sad  :lol:   Mrs B
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on June 16, 2023, 19:40
Not sure if I’ve said this before,but I’ve got crows visiting my pond, I’m ok with that, they need water I’m sure, but I’m not happy with them eating the frogs whilst they’re there  :mad: & then sitting on my bench to eat them & leave their remains on the bench for me to remove.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on June 18, 2023, 17:02
Caption: WHOoo are YOU looking at??

Barred owl sitting on the telephone line above my driveway at dusk.  They are large, beautiful, vocal owls, and highly social.  They even have parties (we hear these frequently this time of year).  I'd be terrified if I was a squirrel or chipmunk.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on June 24, 2023, 02:47
Well tonight was the night for the barred owls to party at Subversive headquarters. I don't have a recording of mine, but if you want to hear what it sounds like, listen to this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WEZqBPbCwvw (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WEZqBPbCwvw)
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: New shoot on June 24, 2023, 07:42
That is quite a racket! A different scale entirely to the gentle calls I sometimes hear from tawny owls near me.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on June 24, 2023, 15:23
For us, the reaction is similar to the woman recording the video. Itis fun to hear the parties when they happen!  :lol:
They occasionally happen at 3:00 AM.  :nowink: , but usually don't last more than a few minutes, and it isn't a nightly thing.  Big parties seem to include multiple groups within earshot of each other, like the video shows.

All in all, we love our barred owls, and we have loads of them. Great rodent control BTW.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: DanielCoffey on July 31, 2023, 08:11
Some of you may know that the Nutchatch is not yet common in Scotland but is spreading Northwards from England. We have seen them sometimes over the past few years in South Ayrshire rummaging in crevices of our mature trees and sneaking round the back of the trunks if they think we have spotted them.

Apparently nobody told this juvenile that they are supposed to be shy birds. It has been searching our decking for sunflower seeds that have fallen between the boards and got wedged. It has a better beak than the small birds and has been helping itself.

This was one juvenile but I placed two images of it side by side. It was only about five feet away from me through the window!
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Goosegirl on October 04, 2023, 09:17
I love nuthatches. I have both a Quail and an old Beswick in my collection of birds. Would love to see one in the flesh so's to speak.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: New shoot on February 12, 2024, 16:41
I just saw a sparrow hawk in my back garden.  Actually down on the ground, but it didn’t seem to have anything in its claws when it flew off.

I guess one of the garden birds just had a lucky escape.

That is the first time I have seen one for any length of time.  Usually they come screaming through after stuff and are gone just as fast.  I didn’t realise they were so colourful. 
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on February 16, 2024, 04:52
Pileated woodpecker #1

My sister sent me this photo of a pileated woodpecker on her feeder, in Indiana. This one is a male (you can tell because there is some red in the black stripe in it's cheek).

Pileated woodpeckers are as large as a small crow. They are the third largest woodpeckers in the world. We see or hear them frequently in our Georgia neighborhood (but I've never seen one on a feeder!)

Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: Subversive_plot on February 16, 2024, 04:58
Pileated woodpecker #2 (female)

This one lacks red in the black cheek stripe; that means it is a female. For scale, there ia a sparrow on the feeder to the right. My sister photographed this one a week before the male.
Title: Re: Bird watch
Post by: snowdrops on February 16, 2024, 08:39
Wow, they’re huge