What have you seen

16970727475163

Comments

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2132

    Yes!!!!

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2133

    the culprit digesting my fish!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2134

    We spotted a local Heron eyeing up our pond the other day, he moved on to a neighbour's pond and took all the fish.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited April 2019 #2135

    Where are you moving onto WN?

    We are waiting for the change in weather to undertake our annual first trip up the east coast from Suffolk to Yorkshire taking in Minsmere Titchwell and all between followed by Frampton Marshes on to Bempton Cliffs and returning via Rutland hoping for Osprey sightings.

    Might even catch a glimpse of the lesser spotted Oneputt again.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2136

    Cotswolds then Devon. Will be on the east coast around Flamborough in June.

    Current trip is not really a birding break, but we'll have a few days here and there, like when we're near the Exe.

    Had a quick trip to Goldcliff this morning before rain set in. Quite a few waders around and a Swallow. Would make a nice walk if starting from the Wetland Reserve and along the Wales Coast Path to these pools and back. Will try that next time we're down.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2137

    In Wales at the moment Blue. There has been a male water rail showing just 50 yards from reception at Titchwell.

    CL owner where we are staying thinks there’s a Hopoe around here, he hasn’t seen it but heard it on several occasions, so fingers crossed 🤞 

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited April 2019 #2138

    The hopoe was reported a few days ago on RBA in west Wales good luck.

    Are you looking in on the Ospeys's on your trip?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2139

    Certainly will be Blue.  Going to the Max Loop to try and see low level fast jets as well.  Just hope the weather plays ball

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited April 2019 #2140

    We walked up and along the Cats Back ridge a couple of years ago, and had a surprise when the Red Arrows flew along the northern valley mamy, many feet below us. We heard them before we saw them because we were actually looking up to start with.

    There are daily reports on Avon Birds of Ospreys flying north around the Bristol area, and already 15 reported in Rutland.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2141

    There  was  a  belief  a  while  back  that  placing  alongside  a  fish  pond  a  reasonable  sized / coloured  imitation  Heron  would  stop  real  ones  from  doing  the  obvious.smile

    Some  weeks  later  there  was  a  'counter  report'  that  the  blooming  things  only  succeeded  in  attracting  a  family  sized  clan  of  the  long  necked  terrors frown

    I  have  also  heard  that  placing  a  string  on  short  canes  around the  pond  could  stop  the  herons  from  getting  close  enough  to  reach  their  meals.surprised

    You  will  all  have  noticed  that  I  use  Belief,  Heard,  Could  etc,  from  which  you  will  have  gathered  I  am  passing  on  second  hand,  unverified  information.  winkinnocent

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2142

    There are daily reports on Avon Birds of Ospreys flying north around the Bristol area, and already 15 reported in Rutland.

    I spotted one the other day there, BM, but not over the Res but up near the wood to the north. Notice that the signs are out for the Ospreys at Foulshaw Moss, but there's no mention of them having arrived there yet although the first one  "Unring"  arrived at Whinlatter on the 2nd.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2143

    We will go to a couple of spots here in Wales to watch the Ospreys then stop off at Rutland on the way home.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited April 2019 #2144

    Get a shift on OP, Hoopoe reported at Winterton on Sea. Where do you stay at Rutland?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2145

    Typical as soon as I leave home the megas come along.

    Last year at Rutland we stayed at The Lodge Trust.  As they are full for this trip we will stay at Ferry Meadows at Peterborough and commute 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2146

    We stopped at Greetham House Farm CL last week and it was fine for us. A bit nearer than FM from Rutland Water, OP.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2147

    I have re.netted the pond and put up a low barrier around the perimeter.I ordered a decoy heron from the internet which will be here on monday and only this morning read that the decoy can actually attract  herons!!!So far the new fish are ok.!However....madam sparrowhawk must be very hungry...this morning she made 3 visits and spent nearly 20 mins. each time on the watch for pray!!!(she had one small bird yesterday,between the drystone wall and the pond) I am still waiting to get a photo of the kill !

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2148

    It was more of a day of "What have you not seen" today. I was expecting to see some Small Blue Butterflies and an odd Orchid on the Limestone of Hampsfell today, but saw neither. However the biggest disappointment was in Grange Park's Ornamental Garden Pond where there are usually a good selection of exotic ducks and geese. However today apart from a few Bar-headed Geese and an single pair of Mandarin Ducks all the others had disappeared. It appears that 44 ducks, valued at over £1200, were stolen in August last year!! What is the country coming to?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2149

    Plenty of insects around here but only 1 butterfly, an orange tip.  Best spots of the day were a tree creeper on site and a nuthatch nesting in a hole in some brickwork 

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2150

    Went to Bempton mid week. Gannets and all three auk species in residence as of last week. The RSPCA had called their climbing team in as a gannet had become tangled in plastic rope and was in difficulty. Don't know if the operation was a positive one mind, let's hope so. A bonxie was also patrolling the cliffs. Tremendous sight, sound and smell!wink

  • Natasha2
    Natasha2 Forum Participant Posts: 306
    100 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2151

    Gorgeous day in Cornwall for our coastal walk from Tintagel to Boscastle.  Hubby very surprised to see an adder on the footpath....nearly stood on it!  First one he’s ever seen.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2152

    The coastal paths, dunes and cliffs are home to adders, N2. Dog owners should be wary.

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2153

    can anybody tell me what these birds are please

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2154

    Goldfinches, lots of them around just now. Nice to have them in your garden. smile

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2155

    Thanks for that,I did not realise that they had red caps and those markings on the tail feathers !every day is a school day! I just hope that our very hungry sparrowhawk does not catch them !(she was down again this afternoon and there was a neighbours cat in the undergrowth watching her!fascinating to see the two hunters eyeing each other up! )

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2156

    The young only get their red faces after several months.

    Good day at Lake Vynry today, tree creeper, gold crest, crossbill, 2 x Redstarts and a white throat

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2157

    Flower day today. There was a large bank of Wood Anenomes in Liddicombe Wood and we came across a gorgeous area of Wild Garlic. Plus Blue and Whitebells mixed together.

    A couple of Swallows inspecting a riding stable we passed.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2158

    Saw my first local Swallow this morning, chattering in the air, our neighbours barn will be a welcome sight (we all wait for the swallows to arrive at the barn and then other places locally.) Last year I spotted the first one on April 21st which was very late and even this one is a lot later than some. Nice to see and hear. smile

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2159

    Had  a  peep  at  Loch Garten  Camera ( via  Carnyx Wild )  as  a  break  from  loading  the  'van  &  saw  a  very  flarey  nest  with  some  thing  at  one  edge  !  Turned  out  to  be  a  spiders  web  over  the  lens  hood  &  a  very  OOF  spider  --  variety  undeterminedembarassed

    But  for a  few  moments  there  were  TWO  Ospreys  And  an  attempted  mating  so  I  can  disappear  dahn sarf  tomorrow  with  a  reasonably  happy  smile  !!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2160

    We've had not one or two but three spotted woodpeckers in one our birch trees today, never seen three together, thought I was seeing things. The birds love the nooks and crannies in the birch, lots of insects to eat. 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2161

    Heard our first Pied Flycatcher of the year today. Couldn't find him though.

    A nice bank of Pink Purslane was a welcome sight.