Author Topic: Bird watch (Read 281778 times)

Red Raw · « **Reply #2360 on:** March 29, 2021, 05:18:21 pm »

Been seeing quite a bit of this lovely little character since the buds started appearing but difficult to snap because s/he is never still for a moment!

Most likely a chiffchaff? Very similar to willow warbler but more common and has darker legs (apparently).

_{click to enlarge}

kesey · « **Reply #2361 on:** March 30, 2021, 12:01:48 pm »

I seen two coal tits building a nest yesterday in the park. I hope the leaves on the hedge grow quick as the nest looks exposed and its only about waist high.

liverbloke · « **Reply #2362 on:** March 30, 2021, 12:18:28 pm »

Quote from: Red Raw on March 29, 2021, 05:18:21 pm

Been seeing quite a bit of this lovely little character since the buds started appearing but difficult to snap because s/he is never still for a moment!

Most likely a chiffchaff? Very similar to willow warbler but more common and has darker legs (apparently).

yes a chiffchaff - if you can't see their legs then listen out for the distinctive 'chiff chaff' call (that earned them their name) as that will help you identify

nice pics btw

Red Raw · « **Reply #2363 on:** March 30, 2021, 01:21:52 pm »

Thanks - have to say I am rubbish at identifying calls. The sparrows make quite a collective racket which makes it hard to separate out the others. I can just about pick out the robin burbling away, and the blackbirds when they are squaring off, but should probably check out youtube or something to try to get my ear in.

Mag Hull · « **Reply #2364 on:** March 30, 2021, 01:58:55 pm »

Quote from: Red Raw on March 30, 2021, 01:21:52 pm

Thanks - have to say I am rubbish at identifying calls. The sparrows make quite a collective racket which makes it hard to separate out the others. I can just about pick out the robin burbling away, and the blackbirds when they are squaring off, but should probably check out youtube or something to try to get my ear in.

I use a decent free ap called BirdNET - really handy for identifying calls when out & about!

Red Raw · « **Reply #2365 on:** March 30, 2021, 02:14:50 pm »

Quote from: Mag Hull on March 30, 2021, 01:58:55 pm

I use a decent free ap called BirdNET - really handy for identifying calls when out & about!

Thanks, this looks excellent - an EU funded research project. I will look forward to trying it out when the neighbours have finished mowing the lawn.

Red Raw · « **Reply #2366 on:** March 30, 2021, 02:19:18 pm »

Funnily enough I was trying to get another picture of the chiffchaff when these two long-tailed tits flew into the frame (literally). They are amazing - the bottom one seems to have a beakful of feather.

_{click to enlarge}

liverbloke · « **Reply #2367 on:** March 30, 2021, 03:14:38 pm »

Quote from: Red Raw on March 30, 2021, 02:19:18 pm

Funnily enough I was trying to get another picture of the chiffchaff when these two long-tailed tits flew into the frame (literally). They are amazing - the bottom one seems to have a beakful of feather.

lovely characterful birds - those feathers will be for making a nest

they have beautiful nests made combining cobwebs, lichen, petals, small bits of paper and the like (see below)

regarding the bird song - best to get out there and record on your phone the songs and then try and decipher them yourself before letting an app do the hard work - the apps can be a great tool but there's nothing like extending your 'ear' by just listening
it also makes you look knowledgable in front of family and friends

Red Raw · « **Reply #2368 on:** March 30, 2021, 03:52:14 pm »

Amazing - looks like a xmas card!

rob1966 · « **Reply #2369 on:** March 30, 2021, 04:41:23 pm »

Quote from: Red Raw on March 30, 2021, 03:52:14 pm

Amazing - looks like a xmas card!

Available in Card Factory from September 2021

Red Raw · « **Reply #2370 on:** March 30, 2021, 05:36:47 pm »

Quote from: rob1966 on March 30, 2021, 04:41:23 pm

Available in Card Factory from September 2021

mikeb58 · « **Reply #2371 on:** March 30, 2021, 07:46:12 pm »

The Kingfisher

A King without need of robe or throne.
No Kingdoms or Palace to call home.
Upon his head, you will find no crown.
No Title to own or to ever hand down.
Striking in colour, be orange or green.
At times, just a blue flash to be seen!
No song to own, just whistle like shrill.
The master of the dive, dagger like bill.
With a very distinctive 'peep peep' call.
The Kingfisher flies away with its haul.

Red Raw · « **Reply #2372 on:** March 30, 2021, 08:07:07 pm »

That's lovely Mike.
There is a little stream just down the road from us, not much more than a ditch really, but there is a kingfisher down there occasionally. It is such a thrill to see that brilliant blue flash.

Ratboy3G · « **Reply #2373 on:** April 2, 2021, 01:35:00 am »

Quote from: kesey on March 30, 2021, 12:01:48 pm

I seen two coal tits building a nest yesterday in the park. I hope the leaves on the hedge grow quick as the nest looks exposed and its only about waist high.

I have a pair of Coal tits that visit my garden, only very early in the morning before our bird feeder starts to get really busy.
They are lovely little things.

Ratboy3G · « **Reply #2374 on:** April 2, 2021, 01:36:34 am »

Quote from: Red Raw on March 30, 2021, 02:19:18 pm

Funnily enough I was trying to get another picture of the chiffchaff when these two long-tailed tits flew into the frame (literally). They are amazing - the bottom one seems to have a beakful of feather.

_{click to enlarge}

Beautiful, I've only seen them once or twice at our feeder. I guess they get scared off by the starlings, wood pigeons and house sparrows.

Great photos too 👍

reddebs · « **Reply #2375 on:** April 5, 2021, 05:47:42 pm »

Got a regular linnet visiting the garden this weekend and a bullfinch made an appearance this weekend too.

Been down to the estuary whilst the tide was out today and there's loads of shelduck and redshank feeding on the mudflats.

liverbloke · « **Reply #2376 on:** April 5, 2021, 06:29:48 pm »

^ nice

meant to post this earlier in the week

saw a common sandpiper on the blimmin leeds/liverpool canal at melling - very rare to see such a bird on the canal

on rivers etc but down on the bloody cut

anyhoo, he seemed a bit lost and did a quick flit so only got a few blurred images - here's one (he's just clocked me)

kesey · « **Reply #2377 on:** April 6, 2021, 11:03:45 am »

Quote from: Ratboy3G on April 2, 2021, 01:35:00 am

I have a pair of Coal tits that visit my garden, only very early in the morning before our bird feeder starts to get really busy.
They are lovely little things.

I think they've moved in as ( with me keeping my distance of course ) there's bird shit all over the branches .

Also. Iam hearing new tweets of a morning outside of ours. Is it in May when the dawn chorus peaks ?

Ratboy3G · « **Reply #2378 on:** April 6, 2021, 07:28:08 pm »

Quote from: kesey on April 6, 2021, 11:03:45 am

I think they've moved in as ( with me keeping my distance of course ) there's bird shit all over the branches .

Also. Iam hearing new tweets of a morning outside of ours. Is it in May when the dawn chorus peaks ?

International dawn chorus day is the first Sunday in May (2nd May this year) but really anytime from May to the end of June is the best for it.

CHOPPER · « **Reply #2379 on:** April 9, 2021, 08:51:15 pm »

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56654460

reddebs · « **Reply #2380 on:** April 9, 2021, 09:09:56 pm »

Quote from: CHOPPER on April 9, 2021, 08:51:15 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56654460

Some beauties there mate. They must have the patience of a saint to wait for that perfect shot to happen though.

Ratboy3G · « **Reply #2381 on:** April 10, 2021, 05:50:33 pm »

Quote from: CHOPPER on April 9, 2021, 08:51:15 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56654460

Some incredible photos there, thanks for sharing

John C · « **Reply #2382 on:** April 10, 2021, 07:13:52 pm »

Quote from: CHOPPER on April 9, 2021, 08:51:15 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56654460

Loved them mate, magnificent

reddebs · « **Reply #2383 on:** April 19, 2021, 07:08:42 pm »

As part of our plans for enjoying having a garden we've bought a bird feeding station today and our first visitors were a pair of siskins.

Can't wait to see what else we can attract in the future.

Red-Soldier · « **Reply #2384 on:** April 19, 2021, 09:39:38 pm »

I've got a window feeder on the patio doors - a robin is feeding like crazy at the moment, flying backwards and forth to it's nest. It's had some huge worms in it's mouth the past few days.

I also have a feeding station with sunflower seeds, suet pellets and fat blocks.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #2385 on:** April 19, 2021, 10:07:09 pm »

Quote from: reddebs on April 19, 2021, 07:08:42 pm

As part of our plans for enjoying having a garden we've bought a bird feeding station today and our first visitors were a pair of siskins.

Can't wait to see what else we can attract in the future.

My sister get those a lot, I've never had them. But they look pretty, just loads and loads of goldfinches here.

reddebs · « **Reply #2386 on:** April 21, 2021, 06:36:54 pm »

Quote from: jillc on April 19, 2021, 10:07:09 pm

My sister get those a lot, I've never had them. But they look pretty, just loads and loads of goldfinches here.

They're so bright close up too. Also had a blackcap in the garden yesterday then this morning a red squirrel had found the dish of black sunflower seeds on the feeder and sat there for nearly an hour munching its way through them all pretty much.

At least I got a photo finally, it's usually too quick to get one.

Can't wait to see what else we attract, our closest neighbour has feeders everywhere as he's an avid birder so hopefully we'll get a good variety.

reddebs · « **Reply #2387 on:** April 21, 2021, 07:08:28 pm »

There's a poor buzzard out trying to hunt and getting bombarded and chased off by stroppy crows and as if he hadn't had enough, a pair of lesser black backed gulls have come in to finish the job.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #2388 on:** April 22, 2021, 06:37:18 pm »

Just saw a goldfinch right outside my kitchen window tucking into something tasty. Had seen a couple in the same spot this morning so hopefully they’ll stick around for a while.

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #2389 on:** April 22, 2021, 06:41:30 pm »

Great to see everyone joining the bird feeding community. Nothing quite beats, sitting there with a drink watching everyone coming down for a feed. We are having constant fights between the blackbirds and magipies at the moment. The blackbirds are just constantly being harassed, which makes me think there must be a nest somewhere around.

Son of Spion · « **Reply #2390 on:** April 22, 2021, 07:11:17 pm »

I was watching a female Blackbird having a bath in our dog's old water dish this afternoon. I fill it with fresh water each day. The sparrows also love a bath in there too.

John C · « **Reply #2391 on:** April 22, 2021, 08:11:58 pm »

Quote from: reddebs on April 21, 2021, 07:08:28 pm

There's a poor buzzard out trying to hunt and getting bombarded and chased off by stroppy crows and as if he hadn't had enough, a pair of lesser black backed gulls have come in to finish the job.

Crows are territorial pricks, Debs. Before I even hear the Buzzards I often know they're overheard by the screeching of the Crows.
And its often the same with any Seagulls in the vicinity, they chase Buzzards also, and I'm thinking yus don't even live round here

CHOPPER · « **Reply #2392 on:** April 22, 2021, 08:20:02 pm »

Quote from: John C on April 22, 2021, 08:11:58 pm

Crows are territorial pricks,

Shoot them, shoot all the Corvids, bar the Jays of course, for obvious reasons

reddebs · « **Reply #2393 on:** April 22, 2021, 08:26:28 pm »

Quote from: John C on April 22, 2021, 08:11:58 pm

Crows are territorial pricks, Debs. Before I even hear the Buzzards I often know they're overheard by the screeching of the Crows.
And its often the same with any Seagulls in the vicinity, they chase Buzzards also, and I'm thinking yus don't even live round here

Not that far away now John being just across Liverpool Bay on Anglesey 😁

John C · « **Reply #2394 on:** April 22, 2021, 08:29:25 pm »

Quote from: reddebs on April 22, 2021, 08:26:28 pm

Not that far away now John being just across Liverpool Bay on Anglesey 😁

I meant the Seagulls not you Debs

Thought you were going to France?

reddebs · « **Reply #2395 on:** April 22, 2021, 08:35:26 pm »

Quote from: John C on April 22, 2021, 08:29:25 pm

I meant the Seagulls not you Debs

Thought you were going to France?

Oh 🤦😂😂

Yep we were but the lockdown in November here and in France meant we ran out of time before Brexit happened but moving somewhere, anywhere that wasn't where we were had to happen for my mental well-being.

zero zero · « **Reply #2396 on:** April 23, 2021, 01:23:42 pm »

Quote from: .adam on March 8, 2021, 10:14:41 am

Thought I'd trawl through some photos from past holidays (remember them!?) and post some pics of birds I've snapped. Hopefully you all enjoy seeing something a bit different to what we see in our gardens!

Toucan/Hornbill:

That's a Southern Yellow-billed hornbill. Need to go to the Americas for Toucans

Quote

Not sure on this fella either. Also South Africa:

A Lilac-breasted Roller, I think.

Lilac by zero zero, on Flickr

I'm sure I've posted this before, so here it is again if you missed it. Love your photos .adam

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #2397 on:** April 23, 2021, 06:10:28 pm »

They are stunning photographs.

liverbloke · « **Reply #2398 on:** April 24, 2021, 07:53:35 am »

these photos are all great - it's inspired me to get out this weekend and hopefully share some of my own recent ones next week

wild liverpool - it's more than just a busy bustling metropolitan city full of e-scooters, students and duck-billed platy-lasses

reddebs · « **Reply #2399 on:** April 24, 2021, 11:18:51 am »

Driving back to Yorkshire yesterday morning on the M60 south of Manchester there was a green parakeet flew across Infront of me 😁