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Message 1.Â
Posted by Syd Rumpo (U1483538) on Tuesday, 30th September 2008
Your place to discuss anything ornithological.
Syd -
Message 2
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Tuesday, 30th September 2008
Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:41 GMT, in reply to Syd Rumpo in message 1
Thanks for looking after us Syd -
Message 3
Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Tuesday, 30th September 2008
Hi Syd and other birders.
We had a garden warbler in our garden today - identified by OH so a reliable record. Not a species we normally see on our patch. -
Message 4
Posted by Schez (U2212013) on Tuesday, 30th September 2008
Thanks Syd. Noted this although no queries at present, but I'm sure all the birders will be along soon.
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Message 5
Posted by Scrubsupwell (U6108793) on Tuesday, 30th September 2008
Rather a wild night here - chilly, lots of wind and rain. In the recent very quiet, still nights we've heard our "local" tawny owl calling from very close to the house. I find it magical to have such creatures so close.
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Message 6
Posted by mamanchauffeuse (U5201740) on Tuesday, 30th September 2008
Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:21 GMT, in reply to Syd Rumpo in message 1
Aha! A timely bird thread.
We've been noticing the house martins nests emptying gradually, but there were still plenty wheeling around in the sky at the weekend. It made us wonder - they usually seem to have several broods a year, so what happens to the older broods?
Do they go and roost in nearby trees while the parents lay more eggs and then all go off together come autumn? Or do the older broods set off by themselves when they fledge?
maman -
Message 7
Posted by lambswool (U4508857) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:15 GMT, in reply to mamanchauffeuse in message 6
Just bookmarking really, but the birds are gradually reappearing in my little townish garden after their summer hols - where do they all go I wonder? -
Message 8
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:27 GMT, in reply to mamanchauffeuse in message 6
Do they go and roost in nearby trees while the parents lay more eggs and then all go off together come autumn? Or do the older broods set off by themselves when they fledge?Â
Very lkely to be contradicted on this, but I believe the parents will often migrate before the youngest brood. -
Message 9
Posted by Lady Trudie Tilney Glorfindel Maldini (U2222312) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Hello all, can anyone answer a birds of prey query?
I seem to see many more large birds-of-prey, usually hovering over fields, than I used to. Now if it's big and brownish I call it a buzzard, but do they hover? (Far too big for kestrels btw) I'm more used to seeing buzzards circling at quite a height.
*waves to lambswool* - haven't seen you around for ages, you OK? -
Message 10
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Do you live in an area where there are harriers?
We have seen buzzards sort of hovering, but not really like kestrels do. It possibly requires the right kind of wind. -
Message 11
Posted by lambswool (U4508857) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:14 GMT, in reply to ermintrude in message 9
*waves to lambswool* - haven't seen you around for ages, you OK?Â
*waves back*
Hi ermie - have had trauma with demise of elderly cat and then a lovely holiday on Lake Como. Dirigibles was wondering whether we should have an autumn get-together, which would be nice. What do you think? Hope you're OK too.
Meanwhile, back on topic - I've seen buzzards hovering (altough not for as long as a kestrel would) and there are now squillions of buzzards in our area. I can even watch them from my sofa sometimes! -
Message 12
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
In my experience, the house martins from that years broods hang around, learning to fly, learning to catch insects and if they can find a disused nest they practice nest building...
Buzzards can sort of hover, I've seen them do this on occasions. -
Message 13
Posted by Lady Trudie Tilney Glorfindel Maldini (U2222312) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Hi DKB, thanks for the link - no I'm just inland from the Dorset coast, so unlikely.
I guess they are buzzards then - shame I was hoping they were something more exotic! Definitely more numerous than I remember.
lambswool that would be lovely - I've been rather busy pushing 1st fledgling out of the nest - hoping to get back on track with my life now! Any day but Tues/Wed for me.
Lake Como - sounds fab. -
Message 14
Posted by lambswool (U4508857) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:14 GMT, in reply to ermintrude in message 13
OK - look out for an email ... -
Message 15
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
I've found this
Buzzards are very populous at the moment, in some areas far more common than kestrels. Generally if there are lots of rabbits there are lots of buzzards, if the rabbit population crashes so will the buzzards. -
Message 16
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Just bookmarking to read your bird news, more exotic than in our neck of the suburbs.
A good show of swans on the river when we were cycling at the weekend.
The last sentence made me look up collective nouns for swans. There are many, including 'wedge' and 'ballet'. Anyone heard of these? Any other bird-shaped collective nouns we should know? -
Message 17
Posted by Lady Trudie Tilney Glorfindel Maldini (U2222312) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
That's really useful DKB, my OH will be very interested.
They still could be a hen harriers I suppose - I often find myself thinking 'I'm sure that's smaller than a buzzard'.
I love the description of the Red Kite as an 'increasing vagrant'. I've never seen one round here, the closest was just south of Bath. -
Message 18
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
interesting terms for a group of swans.
Does anybody know the collective term for a load of coots? There were hundreds on the Broads last week. My vote goes for a cacophany of coots... -
Message 19
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
its a cover or covert of coots, how boring IMO
this link gives loads of collective bird group terms and groups them too...
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Message 20
Posted by U13429077 (U13429077) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Oh, thanks for posting that, Guzzinut - quite a few there I've never heard of! Going to bookmark that webpage. My favs are 'a charm of goldfinches(/finches) and 'a murder of crows' (they'e ones I *had* heard of!)
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Message 21
Posted by mamanchauffeuse (U5201740) on Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:31 GMT, in reply to GuzziNut in message 12
Guzzinut,
In my experience, the house martins from that years broods hang around, learning to fly, learning to catch insectsÂ
That was kinda what I imagined.
if they can find a disused nest they practice nest building...Â
Hmm. We have loads of disused nests and no sign of practising all year. They've been emptying gradually over the past few weeks so we thought they'd nearly all gone but on Saturday there was a group of at least 30 birds swooping around, so we wondered where they were roosting in the meantime.
maman -
Message 22
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Thursday, 2nd October 2008
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:41 GMT, in reply to mamanchauffeuse in message 21
Packing bags for a long weekend in North Norfolk, so all interesting migrants please start heading that way. -
Message 23
Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Thursday, 2nd October 2008
let's hope for easterly wind for you, Bean.
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Message 24
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Friday, 3rd October 2008
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:10 GMT, in reply to laurie (no longer lurking) in message 23
Weather report of wet'n'windy doesnt sound too optimistic. It also happens to be weddding anniversary, so I can celebrate a good bit of bird spotting from years ago. -
Message 25
Posted by U13429077 (U13429077) on Friday, 3rd October 2008
Sounds fab, BHB4 - is that an area where you might see avocets, or is that more Suffolk? (I know there is somewhere around the Thames estuary where they can be seen too.)
I'd love to see an avocet - well, more than one! Would love to see a flock of them - I remember seeing that on a wildlife programme, and just the patterns they made, flying in formation, with their black and white plumage was really quite spectacular! -
Message 26
Posted by rosieP (U1160507) on Sunday, 5th October 2008
The most amazing thing happened Friday Tea time ~ I was at work {on the south east coast} when a cry went up that a load of birds were swarming around the buildings Swallows they thought ~ no it was a flock of Martins!! after mine went [I see them as mine] I thought that would be the last until next year so this really made my heart swell. I'm guessing they were having a break before they crossed the channel, I have never seen so many perching so nearby,it was remarkable and the soft old fool that I am wanted to cry. Hope they make it. RP
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Message 27
Posted by Bearhug (U2258283) on Sunday, 5th October 2008
When I was in WHSmith this weekend, they had The RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe at £10 (normally £25) - I had half been on the lookout for one that covers Europe better than any book I had, and it is pretty good, showing flight patterns, similar birds, likely locations and times of year, as well as good, clear photos of the birds. And there's a birdsong CD with it. Bit of a bargain for a tenner, I reckon, so worth looking out for, if you're thinking of a new book.
Might still get a German birdbook sometime, though... -
Message 28
Posted by Bearhug (U2258283) on Sunday, 5th October 2008
Oh, it's a big reference book, not one to take out with you.
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Message 29
Posted by Nomadnomore - XNo - Quiz Queen (U3180380) on Sunday, 5th October 2008
Hello folks, I'd stop posting on the old thread because once a thread gets so long I don't feel I can keep up.
Plus my unfortunate experience of breaking my ankle on Easter Sunday whilst filling up the bird feeders kind of put me off birds for a while.
So this last six months I haven't been out much and haven't done much.
However, I was delighted to see a wren build a nest in one of last year's hanging baskets that had to stay in place. There was no brood from it but it was fascinating to watch it being built.
Tonight, at dusk, a barn owl flew over to the fields at the back. A delightful bird IMHO.
XNo -
Message 30
Posted by funnyjazzbaby (U7471339) on Monday, 6th October 2008
I'm probably too far away but hoping someone here might have spent time in Oz and can offer some advice.
I live in Outer Sydney, quite close to a creek and vast open space.
I have a complacent dog who watched the birds eat her leftovers with no re-action at all.
Unfortunately the contents of her dinner plate attracted the attention of a number of Indian Mynah birds which have decimated the entire bird populstion of my once peaceful garden.
How do I entice the parrots back and the sparrows..and the doves and how do I stop the rotten Mynahs from doing it all again?
Thanks in advance
FJB -
Message 31
Posted by U13429077 (U13429077) on Monday, 6th October 2008
Those naughty birds, eh XNo
I'd love to see a barn owl - I think I heard an owl (tawny) last night when I woke up, I could also hear a load of foxes too, but I'm sure I also heard an owl as well - unless it was a fox doing a very good owl impression!
What a fab experience that must have been to see all those martins, RP - would have made me blub a bit too!
Wonder how BHB4's trip went? Don't think the weather was too good ..? -
Message 32
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Tuesday, 7th October 2008
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:19 GMT, in reply to miss_type in message 31
So the North Norfolk trip. Weekends this time of year are a lottery and I felt we had lost out big time with the weather. Definitely not the conditions that would cause migrants to flee wind assisted to Norfolk. If any have been blown off course, mainland Europe will be getting them.
Saturday we tried a coatal walk near Blakeney in the morning. The Marshes revealed a few egrets and fleeting views of stonechats. Mainly though everything was keeping it's head down.
In the afternoon we tried Snetisham reserve next to the wash. The tide was out and the mudbanks were teeming with feeding waders loads of curlews, common and green sandpipers, redshanks and loads of shelducks. Think there would have been a lot more if it wasnt so windy. We did wonder if the hide we were using would lift off, but as it was opened by Bill Oddie in 1997 and was still there it must be well built.
Sunday saw us at the Pensthorpe place where springwatch came from. The web site on this made it sound a bit of a theme park. It is though very good with many "wild" areas as well as the "zoo" bit. It was bucketing with rain and we enjoyed being in a cozy hide and watching a selection of waders as well as a flying display from a Marsh harrier and also a barn owl who I think must have missed out on both it's evening meal and breakfast due to rotten weather. So hunting was a priority.
Yesterday (Monday) the weather was good, so we started the day with a trip to see the seals at Blakeney point which was superb. The afternoon was spent at Titchwell RSPB reserve and was excellent. Loads of avocets, curlews, redshanks, oyster catchers, Stints, Dunlins etc etc. Saw for more than a few seconds a water rail which is a priveledge. My first ever pin tail duck and first bearded tit. It really was a worthwhile experience, and the resident helpers in the hides are so good at helping you find and identify the different species there.
I think one of the most enjoyable features about birding is that you are always on a learning curve, and there are usually others willing to impart their knowledge and experience. -
Message 33
Posted by U13429077 (U13429077) on Tuesday, 7th October 2008
Oh, really enjoyed reading that, BHB4 - just wish I had made a cuppa beforehand!
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Message 34
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Tuesday, 7th October 2008
What a great sounding weekend been here bee for. pretty sure I saw a group of bearded tits flying over the reeds whilst we were away in Norfolk. Didnt get down to Breydon Water so no avocets this time
The marsh or willow tit has started appearing in our garden again, which is nice. -
Message 35
Posted by politeLadyPortia (U7099336) on Saturday, 11th October 2008
Just seen a coal tit in the garden today,I had forgotten how small they are.Mobbed by the bluetits.
We get a lot of Long Tailed Tits in the garden- noisy little birds but very pretty little things
PLP -
Message 36
Posted by Halliana (U2407863) on Saturday, 11th October 2008
2 sparrows flew in my conservatory today. There was a lot of flapping and bumping against the windows, so OH went to investigate. They were both stunned so I was able to catch them and put them outside, near the hedge, in the sun.
One picked itself up almost straight away but the other just lay there. We kept watch but as I needed to be outside I picked it up and put it under the hedge.The claws had a good hold on the grass I thought that was a fairly good sign that it was fighting me. It stayed there for about 10 minutes and then decided it was alright so shuffled further in. A few minutes later it scrambled up into the branches and flew off.
I have a blackbird that frequently comes in the house so I imagined that they thought they'd see what was going on inside. -
Message 37
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Sunday, 12th October 2008
We have two coaltits, I saw both yesterday, which is good, as we also have a kestrel. Yes, I know its nature but I'd rather he helped himself to the bluetits, which are far more numerous.
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Message 38
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Sunday, 12th October 2008
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:08 GMT, in reply to GuzziNut in message 37
Please, not the bluetits. Their population nosedived after cold weather May 2007 and is only just recovering.
Train Mrs Kestrel who most likely has a bigger appetite to feast on collared doves. They are grey squirrels with wings. -
Message 39
Posted by lambswool (U4508857) on Sunday, 12th October 2008
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:28 GMT, in reply to Bean_here_bee_four in message 38
Saw a hooded merganser - an American visitor - at Radipole lake in Weymouth on Saturday - it was right by the car park and attracted quite a crowd.
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Message 40
Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Sunday, 12th October 2008
wow lambswool, that's a lovely sighting!
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Message 41
Posted by lambswool (U4508857) on Sunday, 12th October 2008
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:35 GMT, in reply to l24) in message 40
Yes it was, laurie - it was in amongst a load of other ducks, mainly mallards, and if they started to bother it it just dived down underneath them and popped up somewhere else! Very cute. -
Message 42
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Tuesday, 14th October 2008
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:04 GMT, in reply to lambswool in message 41
Wa Hey, having dangled a nijer seed feeder in the garden for a couple of months with no success, a single tatty looking in moult goldfinch is now visiting regularly. I have managed to get a few pics, but it will really have to smarten up it's plumage before I share them.
Fair bit of excitement at local reservoir with a red necked grebe on the water. They are a frequent but not common visitor to West Kent. -
Message 43
Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Tuesday, 14th October 2008
Nijer seed feeder has been a big success in our garden. In the spring/summer we had plenty of goldfinches and siskins, as well as greenfinches using it. No siskins for awhile but after a hiatus some goldfinches have reappeared. After the feeder had been hanging for some time, chaffinces decided to give it a go and more recently the coal tits have got the knack.
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Message 44
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Tuesday, 14th October 2008
it took at least 18 months and the addition of a nijer seed feeder to attach gold finches to my new garden. I now have 4 (goldfinches) noshing sunfower seeds and niger seeds. The sparrows have also started using it and I think the coal tits do too.
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Message 45
Posted by Skylark (struggling to be more blythe and spirited) (U6629883) on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Has anyone ever used one of those clamps that allow you to attach a telescope to a car window? I'm thinking of getting one as a Christmas present for Mr Lark, who often drives up to a nearby lake, visible only from the road, to watch avocets and other lovely birds.
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Message 46
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:16 GMT, in reply to Skylark 49er in message 45
I havent used one of those, but often use a hide clamp to clamp scope to a ledge.
I am sure Mr Lark would be delighted with a window clamp for his scope. Just a pointer though.If he already has a tripod, with a detatcheable clamp plate, do get a window clamp able to accept the same clamp plate.
Do you know the make and model number of the tripod he has? If he hasnt a tripod, then my caution can be ignored. -
Message 47
Posted by Skylark (struggling to be more blythe and spirited) (U6629883) on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Thank you Bean. Yes, he has a tripod which he keeps in the car, and I shall sneak a look at it over the weekend when he is still in bed.
I did consider a hide camp, but he seems to manage with the tripod wedged between his knees. -
Message 48
Posted by Auntie Clockwise (U8040384) on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Glad to see this thread on the go. Has anyone seen any interesting movements recently? This should be a very interesting time in terms of migration. We've only had a few fieldfares and no redwings yet. Geese very sporadic so far.
I could have done with my telescope in the car yesterday. Went down to the coast in my lunch hour - I work in a coastal town - to watch the sea. A very large flock of ducks landed on the sea, but pretty far out and I couldn't get a good view. It looked as if they were more or less black and white with some brown ones (females). The heads looked mostly white. They were probably eider, which are common up here. Another possibility is long tailed duck, which also occur fairly regularly in winter. Couldn't get a good idea of size. -
Message 49
Posted by Bean_here_bee_four (U3889512) on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:49 GMT, in reply to laurie (no longer lurking) in message 48
Not an earth shattering observation, but an amusing one. Out on the bike and I heard the unmistakeable call of a buzzard. Stopped to observe and witnessed a crow actually sneaking up behind it and grabbing it's tailfeathers. Ive often seen crows mobbing raptors, but not a blatant attack before. -
Message 50
Posted by Syd Rumpo (U1483538) on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Report from Syd's garden...
Spotted today, Sparrowhawk, only the third time this year, and Grey Wagtail, first time since last November.
Also recently I'm 90% certain, a Chiffchaff for the first time.
Numbers of other birds really down on previous years. I hope they'll pick up during the winter.
Syd
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