Topic: Bird watch

[bradders1011]

I am hearing a really strange noise outside, it sounds similar to the noise crickets make in the summer. Anyone have any ideas what it could be?

A local alarm system running low on battery, perhaps. Mine chirruped before I changed the battery.

[jillc]

A local alarm system running low on battery, perhaps. Mine chirruped before I changed the battery.

It was definitely a bird I went outside and could hear it in the tree, but kept singing late on in the night.

[reddebs]

I am hearing a really strange noise outside, it sounds similar to the noise crickets make in the summer. Anyone have any ideas what it could be?

Could be a nightjar Jill, they sound very similar to what you described.

[reddebs]

We've got a male bullfinch in the garden, the first one we've had although we do see them locally.

It's taken up residency amongst the old brambles, sedge and curly dock in the boundary ditch that I leave for the seed eating birds so it's good to know they're taking advantage 😁

[John C]

We've got a male bullfinch in the garden, the first one we've had although we do see them locally.

Lovely, I don't recall seeing one round here in leafy south Liverpool for ages and ages, although we see all sorts of great birds.

[reddebs]

Lovely, I don't recall seeing one round here in leafy south Liverpool for ages and ages, although we see all sorts of great birds.

They're not as common as chaffinch so it's always a pleasure to see them.

[jillc]

Could be a nightjar Jill, they sound very similar to what you described.

I was searching everywhere and no site even suggested a Nighthjar. Thanks Debs, I will go and listen to one. I haven't heard it since the other night sadly maybe just passing through.

[jillc]

We've got a male bullfinch in the garden, the first one we've had although we do see them locally.

It's taken up residency amongst the old brambles, sedge and curly dock in the boundary ditch that I leave for the seed eating birds so it's good to know they're taking advantage 😁

Male Bullfinches are so beautiful, my sister gets quite a few in Derbyshire, I had a couple of Bullfinches in the old house not seen anything since here. They really lighten up the winter bird table though. 

[reddebs]

Male Bullfinches are so beautiful, my sister gets quite a few in Derbyshire, I had a couple of Bullfinches in the old house not seen anything since here. They really lighten up the winter bird table though. 

It was weird as I'd only been chatting with my sister that morning about not getting them in the garden but knowing they're in the local area.  Then a few hours later there he was, feasting away and stayed around for a good half hour.

[Red Raw]

When it feels like everything else is going to shit, birds can really lift your spirits.

Have hardly seen any chaffinches for years then yesterday, almost out of nowhere, there were literally a dozen, males and females in a little bush out the front. I chucked a bit of extra food around and they seem to be here still.

Really hope that this might be a sign that they are recovering round here and that they will stick around.

[reddebs]

Anyone done the rspb garden birdwatch survey before?

I've registered but wanted to check if it's only birds that are physically in your garden or can we include those flying over too?

When I used to do the BT one it was basically anything you saw.

[liverbloke]

Anyone done the rspb garden birdwatch survey before?

I've registered but wanted to check if it's only birds that are physically in your garden or can we include those flying over too?

When I used to do the BT one it was basically anything you saw.

a screenshot from the video debs

[jillc]

a screenshot from the video debs

Already doing that. 

[jillc]

Anyone done the rspb garden birdwatch survey before?

I've registered but wanted to check if it's only birds that are physically in your garden or can we include those flying over too?

When I used to do the BT one it was basically anything you saw.

Debs, I think its only ones which land in your garden although I bet people do if they see something really unusual. 

[Trada]

Maybe in the future everyone will have something like the bird buddy that would also collect the data all year round and it can be sent to people like RSPB.

<a href="https://youtube.com/v/zlGBhqIYglo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://youtube.com/v/zlGBhqIYglo</a>

[reddebs]

a screenshot from the video debs

Thanks mate 👍

Debs, I think its only ones which land in your garden although I bet people do if they see something really unusual. 

I'm definitely going to do two separate hours as the back garden where all the feeders are get completely different birds to the other side which is much more open.

[jillc]

Just to say the RSPB have numerous cameras at bird feeding sites on youtube which are available all today and tomorrow. Already seen a Rock Dove at one which I have never seen before and a gorgeous Woodpecker arrived just before as well.

[liverbloke]

did mine earlier (west derby)

3 blackbirds
1 blue tit
1 robin
1 wood pigeon
1 feral pigeon

kin el

[jillc]

did mine earlier (west derby)

3 blackbirds
1 blue tit
1 robin
1 wood pigeon
1 feral pigeon

kin el

It's not bad, all my goldfinches and starlings have gone awol today. I reckon it's because everyone in the street is feeding them at the moment, so they are spoilt for choice. Anyway I'm doing mine tomorrow.

[Crosby Nick]

Nothing but magpies and parakeets here.

[Chakan]

First Walk on the Greenway this year

Canadian Goose






Mallards









Downy Woodpecker



Rust Blackbird taking a bath




I'm not sure what this is, but I think it's a young Tufted Tit Mouse
Cedar Waxling apparently.



House Sparrow



American Robin

[Millie]

My Count - which I did on Friday

2 Mallards - one male, one female
2 Moorhens
3 Blue tits
1 Crow
2 Magpies
at least 6 wood pigeons
2 blackbirds

I also saw some gulls - but not sure what type.  Disappointingly, the heron didn't make an appearance today.

This count was taken from the green opposite my house, where there is a natural pond.  There are also plenty of trees.

[Crosby Nick]

Went for a run along the canal yesterday and saw about three or four cormorants flying along, plus a couple of swans and plenty of moorhens. Always want to tell them there’s far nicer patches of water that could choose to make home.

[Trada]

First Walk on the Greenway this year

Brilliant pictures

[jillc]

The RSPB have put loads cameras up for any interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fDJhxMjPO4

[jillc]

Great pictures Chakan.

[reddebs]

I've had a very successful hour with all the 'extras' putting in an appearance.  Those being the birds we get fairly often but always every day.

We even had a red squirrel visit for the first time since last summer.

[Chakan]

Brilliant pictures

Great pictures Chakan.

Thanks! Had a lot of fun with them

[liverbloke]

First Walk on the Greenway this year

...

lovely stuff mate - we get loads of canada geese (too many some might say) but that waxwing is my favourite - awesome 

[Chakan]

lovely stuff mate - we get loads of canada geese (too many some might say) but that waxwing is my favourite - awesome 

Thanks! We get a few of the geese there occasionally, the generally fly around making a nuisance of themselves when you are driving!

The Waxling was quite far away, and only there for about a minute or 2, definitely a colorful bird, glad I managed to get a pic of it!

[liverbloke]

popped over to lunt reserve earlier in the week and it was rainy it was windy and it was grey

undeterred i sauntered on not having a great day until i saw in the far distance a hen harrier gliding majestically over the fields - too far away to get a good shot but i like the way this turned out



that was about it so i decided to head home a bit disappointed but then i noticed this kestrel sitting atop of one of the hides - it looked at me and i looked at it and it flew off - bugger i said before i could focus my lens...

..but as i was walking off along the path heading for home, that same kestrel flew over me and stopped about 40 feet in front of me hovering away with its sight set on some poor prey - so i grabbed my camera



so i inched forward trying not to spook the bird - being able to zoom in now on it's head as this kind of shot seemed more intimate and interesting...









then it suddenly crashed to the ground - right there in front of me as i was now only 10 feet from the bird - the noise of it doing this was surprising as it made such a thud - it looked around for its prey then it looked at me and then flew off without having any luck



i was so made up that i just though 'what an experience! that's it - i'm happy to go home now' when it stopped again and hovered above me again only 10 feet away - so pointed my camera and reeled off a few more close up shots - i had to over-expose the bird as it was a grey day with the bird mostly in shadow so it looks like i've cut and pasted the bird, which obviously i haven't, but i would've preferred a nicer detailed sky



i took a lot more - this was the sharpest - but i didn't want to hamper the bird's hunting any longer and so left it alone to hunt for its dinner and thanking it, which i did out loud as i said 'thank you mrs kestrel' not knowing that there was a couple walking their dogs just going past giving me an odd look 

[ShatnersBassoon]

wow those are incredible photos!

[John C]

They are amazing liver mate, love them.

[reddebs]

I'm so jealous mate.  Those pics are spectacular!

[Chakan]

Very nice Liver

[Red-Soldier]

popped over to lunt reserve earlier in the week and it was rainy it was windy and it was grey

undeterred i sauntered on not having a great day until i saw in the far distance a hen harrier gliding majestically over the fields - too far away to get a good shot but i like the way this turned out



that was about it so i decided to head home a bit disappointed but then i noticed this kestrel sitting atop of one of the hides - it looked at me and i looked at it and it flew off - bugger i said before i could focus my lens...

..but as i was walking off along the path heading for home, that same kestrel flew over me and stopped about 40 feet in front of me hovering away with its sight set on some poor prey - so i grabbed my camera



so i inched forward trying not to spook the bird - being able to zoom in now on it's head as this kind of shot seemed more intimate and interesting...









then it suddenly crashed to the ground - right there in front of me as i was now only 10 feet from the bird - the noise of it doing this was surprising as it made such a thud - it looked around for its prey then it looked at me and then flew off without having any luck



i was so made up that i just though 'what an experience! that's it - i'm happy to go home now' when it stopped again and hovered above me again only 10 feet away - so pointed my camera and reeled off a few more close up shots - i had to over-expose the bird as it was a grey day with the bird mostly in shadow so it looks like i've cut and pasted the bird, which obviously i haven't, but i would've preferred a nicer detailed sky



i took a lot more - this was the sharpest - but i didn't want to hamper the bird's hunting any longer and so left it alone to hunt for its dinner and thanking it, which i did out loud as i said 'thank you mrs kestrel' not knowing that there was a couple walking their dogs just going past giving me an odd look 

Fantastic pics those mate.  We get Hen Harrier down here in winter on the heaths - never seen one though.  Still one of our most persecuted birds, unfortunately.

[Son of Spion]

^
Beautiful pictures there, Liverbloke. 

[rob1966]

Brilliant photos there Liverbloke

[jillc]

Wow, Liverbloke that is some afternoons work. I love both hen harriers and kestrels and it's rare at times to see both of these species as both seem to be struggling. The pictures of the kestrel are so intimate though, it must have been really exciting. 

[liverbloke]

thanks all for the replies 

yeh we've got to look after our birds - and our wildlife and wild spaces

and that's the thing with birding - a boringly grey day can throw something unexpected at you and bam! your dull day turns into something, well.. something that you were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time for

don't think i'll ever get that close to a hunting kestrel again

ah but in the end it's a day out in the sticks with fresh air and wildlife - can't beat that