Topic: Bird watch

[jillcwhomever]

It's been bad here Jill but with ducks and swans sitting on eggs.

Just don't understand the thinking behind wilful destruction like that.


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Self interest Debs, in the case of the shooting estates like Rob says. They have long since been systematically shooting, poisoning birds of prey and the latest sick trick is setting traps on top of watching posts where birds will land. These traps are savage, they straight away break the birds leg and then they can spend hours dying as they try and escape. Repugnant. There is a new campaign which has been set up in Scotland, between various wildlife groups such as League Against Cruel Sports, Raptor Persecution UK, Friends of the Earth. They are attempting to ban driven Grouse Shooting up there. It's all a long way away truth be told but its a start. But I fear for breeds like the Hen Harriers especially in England, their numbers have been hammered and they continue to be among the most hunted birds. If you see one now, you are truly blessed.

Always the bastards on the shooting estates doing this so their "customers" can enjoy shooting game birds.

Some of their customers include members of the Tory party too. What chance do you think wildlife has now? Especially considering wafts of wildlife protection acts will be looked at now we are outside the EU? I can see myself going back on the campaign trail, like I was in my teens the way everything is going.

[CHOPPER]

Had to make some emergency repairs to the Great Tits nest box and whilst doing so, took the opportunity to take a quick peek and a photie of the chicks and!.....the unhatched egg.

Who'd of thought that people are still having bad taste 80's parties and not disposing of their wigs in the correct manner......

[jillcwhomever]

Had to make some emergency repairs to the Great Tits nest box and whilst doing so, took the opportunity to take a quick peek and a photie of the chicks and!.....the unhatched egg.

Who'd of thought that people are still having bad taste 80's parties and not disposing of their wigs in the correct manner......

Awww, how cute are the little uns. You are becoming an old softie, repairing the nest box. 

[jillcwhomever]

Yep, they are in decline, and its mainly down to this:

Greenfinches and Trichomonosis


Perhaps one of the least widely understood mechanisms of population change is the role that disease plays. An important part of population dynamics strategy is to increase our understanding of the impact that diseases can have.

Work by the BTO in collaboration with colleagues from the Institute of Zoology through the Garden Bird Health initiative has shown just how important these can be (Robinson et al. 2010). In 2005, we started to receive the first reports of a new disease that seemed to affect particularly Greenfinches but also Chaffinches. Trichomonosis is a common disease in pigeons and doves but seems to have ‘jumped’ species to devastating effect. We combined data from Garden BirdWatch volunteers and the Breeding Bird Survey to show that trichomonosis was responsible for the death of perhaps half a million birds in 2006 alone. Since then BBS has shown that the Greenfinch population has continued to decline even further (see trend). The disease is spread by saliva from infected individuals but maintaining good garden hygiene can help.

https://www.bto.org/our-science/population-dynamics/greenfinches-and-trichomonosis

Continuing on that theme, I read the report the BTO did with the RSPB (2019). According to that the population of Chaffinches has fallen and they've since confirmed that they too are being affected by the Trichomonosis. Bullfinches too are having a tough time of it due to loss of the hedgrerows they are listed as an amber species now. It seems of the Finches the only ones doing really well are the Goldfinches. Some better news is the Sparrow population is rising in Scotland, hurrah.

Here is the report for anyone interested in learning more. https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/publications/bbs-report-2019.pdf

[jillcwhomever]

Second day running I've had the little robin on my back doorstep with his wings out. Such a fluffy little thing. 

[kennedy81]

I like to keep an eye on the birds in the garden and what they're all up to. Out on my walks too, I've noticed some of them have been getting quite tame. There's been a few times where I've walked upon a crow or blackbird sitting on the path or on a wall, and they've not budged while I'm just a few feet away. Been wondering if it's because of the lack of people around lately.

I also spotted a small bird chasing a pidgeon the other day. Both were going very fast and the small little fella was right on the pidgeon's tail. I thought maybe it was protecting its young or something. Was telling my Da about it and he said he saw they very same thing the previous day, and he had never seen such a thing before.

[jillcwhomever]

I like to keep an eye on the birds in the garden and what they're all up to. Out on my walks too, I've noticed some of them have been getting quite tame. There's been a few times where I've walked upon a crow or blackbird sitting on the path or on a wall, and they've not budged while I'm just a few feet away. Been wondering if it's because of the lack of people around lately.

I also spotted a small bird chasing a pidgeon the other day. Both were going very fast and the small little fella was right on the pidgeon's tail. I thought maybe it was protecting its young or something. Was telling my Da about it and he said he saw they very same thing the previous day, and he had never seen such a thing before.

It's possible that if there are less people around birds are becoming more bold, as they are disturbed less. Having said that it's not uncommon for some birds to become more "tame". We had a Blackbird who would come quite close to us, especially if we were putting out food.

As for small birds ganging up on bigger ones, that is not uncommon either. They call it mobbing and groups of small birds can gang up together and see off much bigger birds. I've seen it myself with this tawny owl who was sitting in a tree. It was very impressive, but as they say there is safety in numbers and in most case the bigger birds gives up and flies away. As far as nesting is concerned too, there is often confrontation between birds such as Blackbirds and Magpies. The Magpies definitely like to cause a stir and if you hear alarm calls that is usually what it's about.

[rob1966]

Canada v US: Loon stabs eagle through heart

As with global affairs, nature has its pecking order.

And in a contest between the bald eagle, America's national bird, and a common loon, which is featured on Canada's dollar coin, few would bet on the latter to come out the victor.

But sometimes the underdog comes out on top, as was revealed when an eagle was found dead in the water near a dead loon chick in a Maine lake.

A necropsy revealed he was killed by a stab to the heart from a loon's beak.

Baby loons are common prey for eagles, which are fearsome hunters.

Bald eagles are protected in the US, and typically their remains are sent to the directly to the National Eagle Repository in Colorado.

It is a crime in the US to kill an eagle, possess one or disturb its remains, except for special exemptions, such as in the use of Native American ceremonies.

But after seeing a dead baby loon chick so near the carcass, scientists began to wonder if the eagle could have been killed by an enraged mother loon in an avian equivalent of David and Goliath.

So they sent the eagle not to the eagle repository, but to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin where it could be examined by a loon specialist.

There, a pathologist found that the eagle died by a quick stab to the heart from what appeared to be a loon beak, and the chick had eagle talon marks, indicating it had been captured by an eagle.

A nearby neighbour also told wildlife investigators she heard a "hullabaloo" the night before.

Wildlife biologist Danielle D'Auria, who works for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, shared the news on the department's blog, noting it is the first confirmed case of a loon slaying an eagle.

"Who would think a loon would stand a chance against such a powerful predator?" she wrote.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52779727

[Red-Soldier]

Continuing on that theme, I read the report the BTO did with the RSPB (2019). According to that the population of Chaffinches has fallen and they've since confirmed that they too are being affected by the Trichomonosis. Bullfinches too are having a tough time of it due to loss of the hedgrerows they are listed as an amber species now. It seems of the Finches the only ones doing really well are the Goldfinches. Some better news is the Sparrow population is rising in Scotland, hurrah.

Here is the report for anyone interested in learning more. https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/publications/bbs-report-2019.pdf

That's sad about the chaffinches being affected by Trichomonosis too.  Yeah Bullfinches have been amber for around 10 years now I think.  I used to get a male visit my garden every day, but hasn't been any for 9 years now.

Apparently, house sparrows have done well this year too.  Good news as they are a red listed bird.

[CHOPPER]

Wood pigeons nesting again in the Wisteria. The mother is ace, nest is very low to the ground and the mother just sits there not blinking or moving with this "I'm not really here, I'm not really here" look on her and you just know there is sheer panic going on in her head. We've christened her Miranda

[Red-Soldier]

Urban birds are more tolerant to disturbance than their countryside cousins.

Research has recently shown that urban populations are diverging from their woodland counterparts, which is amazing, as we were all taught that evolution takes many years to happen.

[jillcwhomever]

That's sad about the chaffinches being affected by Trichomonosis too.  Yeah Bullfinches have been amber for around 10 years now I think.  I used to get a male visit my garden every day, but hasn't been any for 9 years now.

Apparently, house sparrows have done well this year too.  Good news as they are a red listed bird.

Chaffinches were always amongst my favourites, so it is sad. Speaking of Bullfinches the last place I lived it took us twenty years to attract a Bullfinch to the garden, we were lucky to have a male and female for a while. But then as you say, they disappeared again. I've had more Sparrows recently and there always appears to be Starlings too though not in the same numbers I remember. But at least the Goldfinches have come back for now.

[Buggy Eyes Alfredo]

Planted seeds this morning in three pots. Went out on the porch later for some tea and scared a grosbeak into flight. Turns out it dug out all of the seeds in one of them. At least a 1/3 of the soil was on the ground below.

[rob1966]

Just been for our walk and saw a pair of Kestrels. My camera on my phone is shite so couldn't get a good picture, but at least my eyes work so got to stand and watch one of the pair hovering as it hunted.

[Son of Spion]

Doing a bit of work on my Mum's back garden today and I find the Sparrowhawk has been back for dinner. Plucked a young Starling on the lawn and only left the feathers and beak. 

[.adam]

Been snapping a few photos of the various birds in my garden whilst I've been at home. They're not the best as they're taken through windows.

By my reckoning I've spotted; great tit, blue tit, long-tailed tit, wren, goldfinch, collared dove, wood pigeon, robin, magpie and house sparrow.

[Son of Spion]

Lovely pictures, especially the Goldfinch in flight. 

[kavah]

Wow superb

[Red-Soldier]

Great pics.

[John C]

That Goldfinch in flight is adorable adam.

[jillcwhomever]

Lovely photos. New series of Springwatch is on.

[reddebs]

Lovely photos. New series of Springwatch is on.

Recorded them as Paul's on lates this week so we'll catch up tomorrow.

Great photos those Adam.

Was out yesterday morning and heard a chiff chaff in full song rather than it's call and took this. 

You need to zoom right in to see it yet I could see it clearly.

[jillcwhomever]

Recorded them as Paul's on lates this week so we'll catch up tomorrow.

Great photos those Adam.

Was out yesterday morning and heard a chiff chaff in full song rather than it's call and took this. 

You need to zoom right in to see it yet I could see it clearly.

I can see the cutie, some lovely nests in today's show including a beautiful Long Tailed Tit's nest. They also revisited Spineless Simon the stickleback who Michaela Strachan adopted. 

[reddebs]

I can see the cutie, some lovely nests in today's show including a beautiful Long Tailed Tit's nest. They also revisited Spineless Simon the stickleback who Michaela Strachan adopted. 

Hahaha I remember him!  Wow that was a few years ago surely he's not still around?

No idea why things look so much closer when I'm out and about but the pics always look a million miles away.

Thing with chiff chaffs is they're always perched right at the tops if trees so once you hear them they're easy to find.  Same as Thrushes.

[kavah]

No idea why things look so much closer when I'm out and about but the pics always look a million miles away. ...

Right! I've got a few when I'm out (including a family of otters) and gone to post them on here and they are just dots 

[reddebs]

Right! I've got a few when I'm out (including a family of otters) and gone to post them on here and they are just dots 

I keep saying I need to get a camera with a zoom lens to get some proper pics but not a paparazzi type one as that would just look silly out walking the dogs [emoji23]

I'm surprised I've not seen otters where we live as theres plenty of clean waterways for them.  That must have been very frustrating for you thinking you've got a great shot of them.

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[jillcwhomever]

Hahaha I remember him!  Wow that was a few years ago surely he's not still around?

No idea why things look so much closer when I'm out and about but the pics always look a million miles away.

Thing with chiff chaffs is they're always perched right at the tops if trees so once you hear them they're easy to find.  Same as Thrushes.

My Dutch pal posts gorgeous pictures of birds on her daily walk. She managed to catch a tawny owl in one of her trees. But she has a serious camera with a lens, so she can catch them really well. My photos are just like yours dots on the horizon. You can still see him though.

[reddebs]

My Dutch pal posts gorgeous pictures of birds on her daily walk. She managed to catch a tawny owl in one of her trees. But she has a serious camera with a lens, so she can catch them really well. My photos are just like yours dots on the horizon. You can still see him though.

Few years ago I occasionally bumped into this guy out with a paparazzi type camera taking pics of the wildlife. 

I always had my binos with me so he'd come over and ask what it was he had pics of and they were incredible, as in that pic of the chiff chaff would be just the bird, clear as anything.

He'd photograph everything then identify them all at home then go on the RSPB website to post his sightings. 

I always wondered how people could be so absolute with what they'd seen as we have far too many "little brown jobbys" or LBJs here in the summer.

I've learnt how to ID stuff by a combination of my ringing experiences, their songs and calls, then flight patterns, then leg and beak colour.

I'd love to get a really good, compact digital camera with a built in zoom though for my walks.

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[rob1966]

Crow and a Buzzard having a scrap earlier, shitty camera phone just gets a couple of small dots, while my 53 yr old eyes gets a clear view. Need to get a decent used digi camera.

[royhendo]

My Dutch pal posts gorgeous pictures of birds on her daily walk. She managed to catch a tawny owl in one of her trees. But she has a serious camera with a lens, so she can catch them really well. My photos are just like yours dots on the horizon. You can still see him though.

In March and early April we had a Tawny Owl hooting in the height of the afternoon every day down the glen behind us. The fella was all discombobulated, so he was.

[.adam]

Thanks for the comments on the photos. Sat out in the garden this afternoon and a sparrowhawk swooped down to catch a bird in the ivy about 10 foot away from me. Think it was a collared dove. RIP!


EDIT: Logically, it was probably a sparrow being carted off.

Have also spotted a wren nesting in a fence mounted basket thingy down the bottom of the garden.

[jillcwhomever]

In March and early April we had a Tawny Owl hooting in the height of the afternoon every day down the glen behind us. The fella was all discombobulated, so he was.

That is funny.    We used get one hooting at our place before, but never before 9.30pm each evening, you could almost set your watch by it.

Few years ago I occasionally bumped into this guy out with a paparazzi type camera taking pics of the wildlife. 

I always had my binos with me so he'd come over and ask what it was he had pics of and they were incredible, as in that pic of the chiff chaff would be just the bird, clear as anything.

He'd photograph everything then identify them all at home then go on the RSPB website to post his sightings. 

I always wondered how people could be so absolute with what they'd seen as we have far too many "little brown jobbys" or LBJs here in the summer.

I've learnt how to ID stuff by a combination of my ringing experiences, their songs and calls, then flight patterns, then leg and beak colour.

I'd love to get a really good, compact digital camera with a built in zoom though for my walks.

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My friend's camera is amazing, you can actually see the patterns of their individual feathers in the images. I've never seen one which has such stunning detail as that one. I think she said it was a canon camera but she's bought a couple of lenses to go with it. A stunning piece of equipment though. I brought a bird call CD one year and listened through all 131 bird calls, a few did stick in my memory. I can recognise a Blue and Great Tit call, some of the finches, robins etc. It's a great way of identifying something that's different from the norm. There is a bird which sings nearby guessing its one of the summer migrants as I don't hear it usually. I suspect one of the warblers, that's the nearest I have managed to identify it too.

[Crosby Nick]

Just saw a green woodpecker fly right past me in the local park. Red head with gold somewhere near its wings. Lovely sight.

[reddebs]

That is funny.    We used get one hooting at our place before, but never before 9.30pm each evening, you could almost set your watch by it.

My friend's camera is amazing, you can actually see the patterns of their individual feathers in the images. I've never seen one which has such stunning detail as that one. I think she said it was a canon camera but she's bought a couple of lenses to go with it. A stunning piece of equipment though. I brought a bird call CD one year and listened through all 131 bird calls, a few did stick in my memory. I can recognise a Blue and Great Tit call, some of the finches, robins etc. It's a great way of identifying something that's different from the norm. There is a bird which sings nearby guessing its one of the summer migrants as I don't hear it usually. I suspect one of the warblers, that's the nearest I have managed to identify it too.

Try and record it and post it up on here Jill we might be able to ID it between us all.

[rob1966]

Thanks for the comments on the photos. Sat out in the garden this afternoon and a sparrowhawk swooped down to catch a bird in the ivy about 10 foot away from me. Think it was a collared dove. RIP!


EDIT: Logically, it was probably a sparrow being carted off.

Have also spotted a wren nesting in a fence mounted basket thingy down the bottom of the garden.

Not a great picture, but this was a Sparrowhawk feeding on a woodpigeon in my garden

[reddebs]

Not a great picture, but this was a Sparrowhawk feeding on a woodpigeon in my garden

You're lucky it stayed around to eat it Rob.  It must have been hungry as they're so vulnerable on the ground and usually take it somewhere safer to eat once they've made a kill.

[rob1966]

You're lucky it stayed around to eat it Rob.  It must have been hungry as they're so vulnerable on the ground and usually take it somewhere safer to eat once they've made a kill.

I went for a shower, came down and could see this pile of feathers, it plucked the bird, then lifted the carcass out of the pile and started eating. Sadly I disturbed it trying to get a better shot and it flew off, with the carcass. I did get a bit of video of it plucking it

My 11 yr old has put it on Youtube for me 

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/XyGj5OtZqvA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/XyGj5OtZqvA</a>

[reddebs]

That is unusual behaviour Rob. 

Most raptors will have a plucking post then take the prey somewhere else to eat it or take it to the nest if they've got young.

Good video though.

[John C]

Crow and a Buzzard having a scrap earlier, shitty camera phone just gets a couple of small dots, while my 53 yr old eyes gets a clear view. Need to get a decent used digi camera.

Flippin hec Rob this is a daily occurrence over mine. The Buzzards just want to nonchalantly glide across the sky, but the territorial crazed Crows hate them encroaching so they'll squawk and chase them for miles. The Buzzards only swerve the attacks, I've never seen one retaliate at all. They could probably grab them and fuck them off.
The other day a Seagull did the same to a Crow, fucking hell it must have thought it was gonna rob someones chips.

I've only got a 5s still (I love it tho), so I can never get a good video. It's a magnificent sight of nature Rob.

[Lad]

I went for a shower, came down and could see this pile of feathers, it plucked the bird, then lifted the carcass out of the pile and started eating. Sadly I disturbed it trying to get a better shot and it flew off, with the carcass. I did get a bit of video of it plucking it

My 11 yr old has put it on Youtube for me 

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/XyGj5OtZqvA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/XyGj5OtZqvA</a>

Made a right mess didn’t it. Not very considerate 😁