What have you seen

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  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1892

    This year the cranes have have a very good breeding season with 178 breeding pairs now established in the UK. 

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/17/common-cranes-here-to-stay-after-recolonising-eastern-england

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1893

    When in Germany in late September early October (on Western migration route) didn’t see any so thought they had already passed through. Obviously wrong there. 🌞

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1894

    Skeins of geese passing overhead this morning on the Fylde. Then there was a loud screeching noise from the tree behind the van. Peeped out to see a Little Owl perched there. Managed to get a photo but not yet down loaded it. Boy don't they just make such a racket for a small bird. Last night a Barn Owl flew across our path as we were out for our last walk of the day.

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1895

    Went for a walk down to the village where we are staying and saw a male hen harrier flying over did not have camera with me for any photos though.

  • JayOutdoors
    JayOutdoors Forum Participant Posts: 572
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    edited November 2018 #1896

    Saw this family travelling this lunchtime in Somerset. 

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2018 #1897

    I bet they're popular.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1898

    Just been out with the dog, grey and very cool wind 😲 but missed the heavy shower 😉. Heard a bird singing it's heart out, took an age to see it as I didn't immediately recognise song. A thrush from the shape I could make out and glimpse of speckled breast but sun chose those minutes to peep through so not able to get clear view. As we walked off it was still singing and by then I realised it was repeating the trills. Can't recall hearing them at this time of the year before, or am I mistaken? Certainly don't think today's weather reminded them of spring!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1899

    Cold enough here to see the Fieldfares..finally, I hope. smile

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited November 2018 #1900

    Hi Brue

    You could always take a stroll around Steart Marshes. They are usually seen along the drove, There are Redwings Short Eared Owls and Barn owls aswell as the usual at the moment. We are hoping to make it down there some time this week.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1901

    As luck would have it the Fieldfares arrived today! A flock of them in an oak tree by our garden, lots of chattering, I love to hear them.

    Thanks for the suggestion BM, strangely enough I was thinking we ought to take a trip out to Steart soon as we haven't been for ages. Hope you enjoy your visit. smile

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1902

    Where are you staying in the Brenne RK?

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1903

    Sorry for the delay to answer wifi a bit slow here.

    We are staying on a small site just outside Obterre about 15 miles south of Loches we have been here a lot in the last 8 years, not really open as such as a lot of work going on but as regulars just enjoying a quiet break and hope to get over in the main area of the Brenne depending on weather as it is very chilly here, OH does the driving and I do the bird watching , saw a lot of small birds today on the way to Loches not sure what they are but will check my book later. The owners are English and Welsh have been here just over 10 years.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1904

    Thanks RK

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1905

    Thats a nice site RK but you do have to travel a bit to get into La Brenne. Great birdwatching area, as well as cycling. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1906

    Where do you stay when your there WN?

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1907

    Hi Oneputt.

    We either stay at Camping Bellebouche, near Vendoeuvres, or at the municipal at Rosnay.

    Bellebouche is more local to the best birding but the site looked aabit dated last time we were there so we treat it like a cl. The site at Rosnay is a nicer site. Smaller but a bit further to travel into the heart of La Brenne. Obterre is run by English people and a really nice site, just not situated in the reserve.

    We tend to go there in May. A good place for a week but we do get more out of it by cycling.

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1908

    Thanks WN

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1909

    Know where those sites are WN  but  will keep them in mind for the future, Obterre is open all year and as we do not cycle anymore it usually is by car to the Brenne reserve.

    Had a shopping day today so saw about 200 Lapwings flying over the fields, a lot of starlings but do not know if  they do murmurations  like UK the birds we saw the other day were corn buntings finally got a close look at them do not see them at home.

    Back home on Sunday

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1910

    RK, do you normally go there at this time of year only? We have never been in September/early October and would appreciate knowing if there is much migration stopover,  if you know. Thanks.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited November 2018 #1911

    Made it to Steart yesterday, along with the usual array of ducks, there were a couple of Spoonbills feeding near the Quantock hide Reed Buntings and Redwings feeding alongside the path.

    On wall common there was a female Hen Harrier making several hunting passes at low level, very impressive through the binoculars but to far to get a decent pic. late in the day we waited patiently for the short eared owls but as the light faded, we headed home, only to get a text from the newest and youngest member of the of the bird photographer flock to say an Owl appeared 5 mins after we left and flew straight to the place I had been waiting and it landed about 10 metres from my position.

    Pics show a spoon bill and reed bunting.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1912

    Great pics again BM.  It looks as though all our Spoonbills have now moved South 

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1913

    Hi WN we have stayed at different times of the year this is just a short break and have been here when the common cranes are on the move what a site seeing hundreds of them going over and that was whilst sat outside the caravan but not sure about the migration stop over but think would be with all the lakes about. Saw a lot of cattle egrets about today whilst this morning.

    Great pictures BM know that area well as we used to live in Somerset.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited November 2018 #1914

    Hi OP and RK

    Thanks for the comments.

    OP, The Hen Harrier was spectacular to watch although the light was very poor, it came past us within about 200 yds several times and looked extremely large. scattering birds in every direction I got a couple of grainy and distant shots and will be paying another visit when the weather is more suited. So much closer than our recent excursions. Will post a pic if possible. Have you taken to the pipe and slippers for the winter or still active?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1915

    Haven’t been too good for a couple of weeks but recovering now so will be out and about in a day or two.  Plenty about including several SEO, Merlin and lots of waders including a flock of about 2000 Curlew at Breydon Water.

    Need to make a trip to Holkham soon as there is a flock of 20+ Shore Larks 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1916

    Had a nice walk alongside the River Dee (Cheshire version). A female Hen Harrier put up about 200 Lapwings. Also female Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret and a Short Eared Owl about.

    Thanks for reply RK.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited November 2018 #1917

    I would like to share a very pleasant hour spent at Slimbridge yesterday in atrocious conditions for photography but wonderful to see.

    I am no expert on bird behaviour, but this is an account of what I believe and hope to be close to the mark.

    The Bewick Swans are now arriving at Slimbridge after a very long migration and as I understand it, the swans pair for life, so this account just seemed correct as I witnessed the birds coming in to land. After landing very close together, the birds seemed to confirm their partnership and achievement by a rather noisy dance that would have graced Strictly. Wings out heads held high they approached each other and displayed for a couple of minutes. There were also a couple of juveniles that had managed to reach Slimbridge and the safety of the reserve, which should ensure they survive the coming winter

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1918

    Lovely to see Blue and I think you are pretty close to the mark👍

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585 ✭
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    edited November 2018 #1919

    Hoping to find some obliging Seo's this winter, Carlton marshes birds seem to have gone.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited November 2018 #1920

    Our local ones have also moved on, hopefully others will turn up.

    How is your camera or lens choice progressing?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #1921

    Haddiscoe Island has four hanging about at the moment.  Also a rough legged Buzzard

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