Topic: Bird watch

[Bob Kurac]

Ospreys around the Wirral, Crosby & Ribble today. Breeding birds back at Porthmadog. Greenland Whitefront and a couple of Barnie geese at Southport, twite and lots of Ruff too. Short eared Owls on the move in N Merseyside coastal areas. Black Redstart at Garston.

[Bob Kurac]

Spoonbill still at Southport too.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

Ospreys around the Wirral, Crosby & Ribble today. Breeding birds back at Porthmadog. Greenland Whitefront and a couple of Barnie geese at Southport, twite and lots of Ruff too. Short eared Owls on the move in N Merseyside coastal areas. Black Redstart at Garston.

Where were the ospreys seen on Wirral, Bob? Were they fishing?

[Bob Kurac]

Dee estuary then over Red Rocks / Hilbre ...

[۩ Imperator ۩]

Dee estuary then over Red Rocks / Hilbre ...

Do we know which ospreys they are? Are they the ones nesting at Glaslyn?

[kavah]

fascinating posts from Merseyside on this thread - thanks for the pictures and updates.

And from all contributors worldwide also -this is  Rawk's country file - love it

PS just saw this because of the cold snap (in the guardian)

The RSPB has urged householders to keep bird feeders regularly topped up with high-energy, high-fat food and to keep water dishes filled. Similarly, the Hedgehog Preservation Society recommends leaving plentiful water supplies and also food, either meaty cat or dog meals or specialist hedgehog food.

[Bob Kurac]

Dunno Imp. There are other sites ... But seems a lot arrived back this week. And it's hit-and-miss: keep 'em peeled, can see them any time around the area - some of the pumping lagoons/reservoirs on the mosses inland of Formby have had regular visits in recent years, as has the Ribble - Brockholes, etc, onto the Wigan flashes.

Ring Ouzel at Marshside this morning; Iceland Gull at Southport too. Euro Whitefront reported at Hesketh Out Marsh . Yank Wigeon at Denhall Quay. Water Pipit at Neston.  Alba wag at Formby Point.

[Bob Kurac]

Couple of black guillemots in breeding plumage in Oban harbour this evening, I'd post a pic but I'm only on my phone; eye catching little things...

I've seen Black Guillemots there too.

[Bob Kurac]

Anyone up for an ID quiz?

All photos by me, which is why they're bloody awful, which in turn is what makes it a challenge.

These first six were all taken on Merseyside

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Standby for 7-12

[Bob Kurac]

7. Sussex

8. Yorkshire

9. Bowland

10. Rhyl

11. Northumberland

12. Warrington

Standby for final six

[Bob Kurac]

13 Andalucia

14 Camargue

15 Merseyside

16 Scotland

17 Anglesey

18 Merseyside

[Bob Kurac]

Answers next weekend.

[Elli]

Can't honestly be bothered to go through and quote, but I think I can see: Redshank though it's very dark, Garganey, Sandpiper? seems too common for this collection, a Shrike (no idea which one), Petrel? Waxwing, Black-winged Stilt, Red Grouse, Chuff (Alpine?), indeterminate Tern, a Teal but presumably not a bog standard Teal... and several which are annoying me including the thrush with the speckled red breast.

[Elli]

The Petrel is a Fulmar, it just occurred to me.

[John C]

Bob, they are stunning. If I didn't have a hangover I'd have a poor attempt so I apologise for not doing your posts justice, but they truly are lovely.

Anyway, tell me more about these Ospreys, that has also really intrigued me. Are they of the breed that were nearly extinct 30 or so years ago?

[zero zero]

9. Bowland=Famous Grouse

[Bob Kurac]

Can't honestly be bothered

You make me feel so special ;-)

[richiedouglas]

My budget garden feeder has attracted a Greenfinch. It's a really pretty bird, not rare in any way but pretty.

[Bob Kurac]

Minor correction: 17 was on the Llyn Peninsula, not Anglesey. You can see these birds on Anglesey too, though.

[Elli]

You make me feel so special ;-)

Don't take it personally, I'm just a lazy wench.

[Bob Kurac]

You had a couple right, though ...

[Davies9]

Answers to your ID Quiz Bob:

1. Glossy Ibis, 2. Spotted Redshank, 3. Little Gull?, 4. Garganey, 5. Goldcrest, 6. Dunlin, 7. Great Grey Shrike, 8. ?, 9. Red Grouse, 10. ?, 11. Fulmar, 12. Waxwing, 13. Black-Winged Stilt, 14. Mediterranean Gull, 15. Teal, 16. Wheatear, 17. Chough, 18. Snow Bunting.

How did I do? (",)

[Bob Kurac]

Very well! Two missing, only one wrong ...

[Bob Kurac]

Very well! Two missing, only one wrong ...

make that two wrong

[Bob Kurac]

Ring Ouzel at Hilbre. Spoonbill still at Marshside. Waxwings in Southport and many other places - will surely bugger off next week when the wind turns southerly, and brings floods and loads of migrants! A flock of around 21 Crossbills are being seen most mornings at Royal Birkdale golf club (nr Roy Evans' house!) ...

[John C]

Here's a question. I had a large black bird circling above my house (in Allerton) yesterday. At first glance you'd mistake it for a Crow but it definitely wasn't. Its key feature was quite a distinctive pointy (longish) beak.

What could it have been?

[Hoenheim]

This thread has a misleading title, I was expecting the other sort of birds when I clicked, a bit disappointed I must say

[Bob Kurac]

This thread has a misleading title, I was expecting the other sort of birds when I clicked, a bit disappointed I must say

yawn.

[The Gulleysucker]

Here's a question. I had a large black bird circling above my house (in Allerton) yesterday. At first glance you'd mistake it for a Crow but it definitely wasn't. Its key feature was quite a distinctive pointy (longish) beak.

What could it have been?

Possibly a Shag?

Related to Cormorants and normally seen off the coast, there are some on the Mersey so it's not impossible for one to be seen slightly off track over Allerton.

[Mal]

Here's a question. I had a large black bird circling above my house (in Allerton) yesterday. At first glance you'd mistake it for a Crow but it definitely wasn't. Its key feature was quite a distinctive pointy (longish) beak.

What could it have been?

Shag is a good option but... How long was its neck? And, how big was it? Say, compared to a crow...

[Mal]

Seeing my first waxwings this winter was ace but god how I want this winter to end...



Oh, and I'm shit at Bob's quiz... I have enthusiasm, a narrow repertoire and a good bird book.

[Manix]

Here's a question. I had a large black bird circling above my house (in Allerton) yesterday. At first glance you'd mistake it for a Crow but it definitely wasn't. Its key feature was quite a distinctive pointy (longish) beak.

What could it have been?

Jackdaw perhaps?

[Lawnmowerman]

Here's a question. I had a large black bird circling above my house (in Allerton) yesterday. At first glance you'd mistake it for a Crow but it definitely wasn't. Its key feature was quite a distinctive pointy (longish) beak.

What could it have been?

They know where you live now

[richiedouglas]

Seeing my first waxwings this winter was ace but god how I want this winter to end...



Oh, and I'm shit at Bob's quiz... I have enthusiasm, a narrow repertoire and a good bird book.

My wife was describing the group of birds she saw on a walk and she's adamant it was 5-10 waxwings. I presumed they were really rare so scoffed at her. Should I tell a bird group in case they want to check it out?

[John C]

Possibly a ]Shag
Related to Cormorants and normally seen off the coast, there are some on the Mersey so it's not impossible for one to be seen slightly off track over Allerton.

Shag is a good option but...

You guys are stars, thats it. From gulleys pic the wing shape was exactly the same, and its the long neck and beak that distinguished it. I pointed it out to the kids and muttered it could be a Cormorant but I dismissed the idea to be honest. I'm astonished.

I live off Mather Ave with is not such a long journey from the Mersey for it but it meant it must have been quite a bit up the River.

thats pleased me that, quite a spot and it was the day after the Gulls were chasing a Buzzard overhead as well.

Cheers guys.

[John C]

They know where you live now

  I have a very large garden mate, sufficient for them to attack from many an angle in groups.


For those not following, I was chased round Caldies Park by two bastard evil pugnacious Crows 2 years ago. The day before some bloke was actually attacked which was in the Echo.


I'm delighted a Shag circled my garden for a few minutes, I can't say I ever seen one and been able to identify one before. Thanks again 

[John C]

Oh, and I'm shit at Bob's quiz... I have enthusiasm, a narrow repertoire and a good bird book.

Me too mate, I wish I could do those pics justice, truth is that I'm not as good as identifying birds as I am enthusiastic about them.

[John C]

Sorry to hog this thread now but in the next few moths you'll be able to see regular sightings of large birds circling South Liverpool (Allerton & Aigburth). I saw one the other day but it was being pursued.
They've been described to me as European Buzzards - can people keep an eye out and let me know what they think.

So, despite my man-flu I've had a good few days, in the same amount of days I've been visited by a Heron, Buzzard & a Shag and its not long since my encounter with an Tawny Owl.

[theredguy03]

Went for a nature trip the other day, first time I've ever seen these 2 birds:

[Mal]

Great Created Grebe & a mandarin duck.

I get great crested grebe's on the reservoir near me. They are unspeakably lovely.

Last time I saw a mandarin duck was at Martin Mere years ago. So long ago that I was in short pants.