Topic: Bird watch

[John C]

Love this pics Liver, boss. The clarity is superb also, was it a camera or a decent phone?

[liverbloke]

Love this pics Liver, boss. The clarity is superb also, was it a camera or a decent phone?

cheers mate - these were captured on a nikon DSLR with a 300 lens 

[jillcwhomever]

Love this pics Liver, boss. The clarity is superb also, was it a camera or a decent phone?

I notice you haven't got a Christmas name John. 

[liverbloke]

taken at Lunt on Monday

common cormorant but still a fascinating bird - like a pterodactyl

juvenile great crested grebe - still hasn't fully bloomed

lonely robin - nah he isn't lonely but the muted light makes you feel that way

[Crosby Nick]

I went for a run along the Grand Union canal down here on Sunday and saw a Cormorant perched on a pole. Always a nice sight, they’re surprisingly big aren’t they.

[liverbloke]

I went for a run along the Grand Union canal down here on Sunday and saw a Cormorant perched on a pole. Always a nice sight, they’re surprisingly big aren’t they.

they are - and have a massive wing span

you most probably already know this but the iconic liver bird is supposed to be based on a cormorant but originally was said to be based on an eagle

another snippet of info from wiki

Everton Football Club, however, was the first football club to use the Liver Bird symbol, on its medals and souvenirs up until the 1930s when it was replaced by Prince Rupert's Tower, another iconic Liverpudlian symbol, in 1938. The club commissioned the incorporation of the Liver bird on the league championship winners' medal in 1890, Everton's first ever championship title, won at Anfield, their home ground at that time. Some fans still believe the symbol should be used on the club's strip, arguing that it should be a representation of both clubs in the city.

[.adam]

Woke up to find half a pigeon in the garden. Assume Mr. Sparrowhawk has been busy.

[Red Raw]

We too had a visitor at the weekend.

Nabbed a pigeon ...



... and picked at it for over an hour ...







It was pretty brutal really but compelling to watch nonetheless.  The pigeon was still flapping a bit 45 minutes later and had tried to escape about three times, but it seemed wrong to intervene.  Having eaten its fill the sparrowhawk hopped onto the fence to wipe its beak and then into a tree ...



The camera is only a compact and this was on full zoom, without a tripod, in the rain and sh*t light so the images aren't especially crisp.

We decided to leave the carcass and the sparrowhawk has been back to feed at least four times (I assume its the same bird).  it was a bit sunnier today so when I get a chance I'll see if the new photos are any better.

[Lad]

Those photos are great mate.

[Lad]

And you were right not to intervene. Have to let nature take its course. Unless of course it was about to eat a pretty, cuter bird than a pigeon 😉

[Crosby Nick]

How does it actually kill it?

[Chakan]

How does it actually kill it?

By telling it bad puns

[Lad]

How does it actually kill it?

Tickles it to death. Dies laughing.

[CHOPPER]

S/Hawk took a small bird in the dusk from the back garden yesterday evening. Typical ambush kill. No footage or pics I'm afraid.



I'd love to see a Goshawk pile through the trees after something. They're proper bastard birds.

[Red Raw]

How does it actually kill it?

The pigeon was alive throughout this sequence. The sparrowhawk basically had it pinned down and was just ripping feathers out to get to the flesh. At one point the pigeon got free and flew straight towards the window where I was watching but the hawk was on it quick as a flash and dragged it back down the garden.

It seemed to be eating its way through the pigeon's back at first until it could turn it over to get into the body cavity where the organs are.  I assume the pigeon eventually bled out or died of shock but it must have taken almost an hour of being eaten alive before it eventually died. 

[Crosby Nick]

The pigeon was alive throughout this sequence. The sparrowhawk basically had it pinned down and was just ripping feathers out to get to the flesh. At one point the pigeon got free and flew straight towards the window where I was watching but the hawk was on it quick as a flash and dragged it back down the garden.

It seemed to be eating its way through the pigeon's back at first until it could turn it over to get into the body cavity where the organs are.  I assume the pigeon eventually bled out or died of shock but it must have taken almost an hour of being eaten alive before it eventually died. 

So glad I asked! Jesus.

[reddebs]

So glad I asked! Jesus.

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] nature at it's gruesome finest!!

I learnt the hard way as a child not to interfere when I "rescued" a mouse from the cat.  Little fucker sank it's teeth into my finger so once I'd prised it off me, it was given straight back to the cat.

[Crosby Nick]

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] nature at it's gruesome finest!!

I learnt the hard way as a child not to interfere when I "rescued" a mouse from the cat.  Little fucker sank it's teeth into my finger so once I'd prised it off me, it was given straight back to the cat.

Ha, weirdly saw this in action yesterday. On our local high street a cat had caught a mouse and was playing with it. Literally throwing it up in the air for the fun of it. Eventually killed it and got bored. Little fucker.

[reddebs]

Ha, weirdly saw this in action yesterday. On our local high street a car had caught a mouse and was playing with it. Literally throwing it up in the air for the fun of it. Eventually killed it and got bored. Little fucker.

Yep all that cute stuff kittens do whilst playing is basically training them how to kill.

Always amuses me how Paul can watch horror films with blood, guts and torture yet he has to turn off wildlife stuff.

[liverbloke]

nice pics Red Raw Burp!

yeh unfortunately the sparrowhawk can't nip down to tescos for a frozen pigeon and pop it in the oven for an hour and a half or gently knock the pigeon out before eating it - nature at its rawest

[Crosby Nick]

nice pics Red Raw Burp!

yeh unfortunately the sparrowhawk can't nip down to tescos for a frozen pigeon and pop it in the oven for an hour and a half or gently knock the pigeon out before eating it - nature at its rawest

He can, he just needs to learn which brands to go for.

[rob1966]

nice pics Red Raw Burp!

yeh unfortunately the sparrowhawk can't nip down to tescos for a frozen pigeon and pop it in the oven for an hour and a half or gently knock the pigeon out before eating it - nature at its rawest

Just needs to get online and order some

https://www.keziefoods.co.uk/Catalogue/Lean-Meats/Game-Meats/Feathered-Game/Woodpigeon-Breast-Skin-On-500g-MPIBRFP52

[liverbloke]

^ oh you two - those comments are fowl

[rob1966]

^ oh you two - those comments are fowl

You egging us on?

[royhendo]

Lacking in confidence here but we were convinced we saw a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this morning on the dog walk. Rarer than a unicorn sniffing rocking horse shit up this way though...

(Merry Christmas.)

[liverbloke]

Lacking in confidence here but we were convinced we saw a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this morning on the dog walk. Rarer than a unicorn sniffing rocking horse shit up this way though...

(Merry Christmas.)

lessers are the size of a sparrow whereas greaties are the size of a blackbird but telling the size from a distance can be difficult

if it was a lesser then well done you - i've yet to see a greeny

[androulla]

taken at Lunt on Monday



lonely robin - nah he isn't lonely but the muted light makes you feel that way

That is such a lovely photo!

[liverbloke]

That is such a lovely photo!

why thank you - if you want a free print of it then just send £100 to my paypal account please 

[liverbloke]

popped down to crosby marina on my exercise route (with camera in hand shhh) and spotted a few turnstones near the main lake - one was having a nice bath - and i've uploaded a size comparison photo with a mallard for those of you who have never seen one

and then a couple of whooper swans flew over making a right racket - could only manage a long shot as they were on the other side of the boating lake

lovely up there today though

[John C]

One of the advantages of working from home - looking out of the window and for about 20 minutes I've just been treated to a flock of about 40 Goldfinches having a morning play. Flying from tree to tree, scattering, re-grouping, singing. Absolutely spectacular.

[royhendo]

lessers are the size of a sparrow whereas greaties are the size of a blackbird but telling the size from a distance can be difficult

if it was a lesser then well done you - i've yet to see a greeny

They’re “Greaters” - took a while but yeah - still great though!

Also a Dipper - second one I’ve ever seen.

[Lad]

Had two blue tits checking out our our nesting box this morning. Now is the time to put one up folks for those who haven’t already got one, they like to investigate them for a while before they move in.

[ShatnersBassoon]

keep having a bunch of deer coming and annihilating my feeders.

not sure what to do....  i recall hearing chilli was a deterrent to squirrels etc but not sure if i'tll work on these....

[butchersdog]

Just been told by my partner that she put KP salted dry roasted peanuts out on the bird table today while I was at work 

I’ve been out into the garden and got rid of what was left (a good handful). We get squirrels, and various garden birds, as well as a Woodpecker.

Can anyone knowledgable give me any advice on whether the birds/squirrels eating some of those nuts today is likely to kill them? I’ll be absolutely gutted if it affects them.

[rob1966]

Just been told by my partner that she put KP salted dry roasted peanuts out on the bird table today while I was at work 

I’ve been out into the garden and got rid of what was left (a good handful). We get squirrels, and various garden birds, as well as a Woodpecker.

Can anyone knowledgable give me any advice on whether the birds/squirrels eating some of those nuts today is likely to kill them? I’ll be absolutely gutted if it affects them.

They can kill them sadly

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/safe-food-for-birds/#:~:text=Warning%3A%20Don't%20use%20salted,to%20guarantee%20freedom%20from%20aflatoxin.

[butchersdog]

They can kill them sadly

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/safe-food-for-birds/#:~:text=Warning%3A%20Don't%20use%20salted,to%20guarantee%20freedom%20from%20aflatoxin.

I saw that online Rob yeah. I was hoping that as a one off it’ll be alright.

[Lad]

keep having a bunch of deer coming and annihilating my feeders.

not sure what to do....  i recall hearing chilli was a deterrent to squirrels etc but not sure if i'tll work on these....
[/quoteI

I sprinkle curry powder round the edges of my decking to deter the foxes from shitting on it. It works generally if that’s any help to you.

[ShatnersBassoon]

I sprinkle curry powder round the edges of my decking to deter the foxes from shitting on it. It works generally if that’s any help to you.

ah i'll give it a try. thanks!

[.adam]

Haven't seen this fella in he garden for quite some time.

A male bullfinch.

[reddebs]

Haven't seen this fella in he garden for quite some time.

A male bullfinch.

Beautiful!

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