What have you seen

17172747677163

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2192

    I've got a whacking great poplar across the road. No orioles, just a lot of crud all over the van roof. frown

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited April 2019 #2193

    Finally managed to get a day out with the camera at Slimbridge. There are several improvement projects ongoing including a replacement for the Holden Tower which has restricted the access to the Dumbles etc. However the new tower sounds like it will be without a roof so should feel more airy than at present and hopefully better viewing.

    Attached are a few pics from a gloomy day out as Hanna approached.

    First pic shows 3 rather cute little Greylag chicks chasing after mum. A couple of pics of the male Garganey Duck, a first sighting for me. A beautiful Little Ringed Plover that appeared to be on the menu of a rather large Gull, fortunately the LRP managed to evade the dinner table. and finally a Black Headed Gull putting on a great flying display.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2194

    Good day at SWT Carlton Marshes.  3 x Cuckoos, lots of Sedge Warblers and plenty of Butterflies.  The additional thousand acres will make a great difference, they are currently moving earth, creating elevated walkways and putting in more scrapes. 

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2019 #2195

    Sounds good Oneputt.

     

    The first Turtle dove has arrived pm today hope it can find a mate as last year we only had one calling all season before it flew south again.

    A lot more butterflies about today even a fresh small copper near our lilac bush, the cuckoo still calling.

    Wildlife seems to get everywhere popped into the bathroom and behind the door was a small lizard not sure how it got in window not open since am when opening our shutters so a bath towel came in handy to pop over it and taken outside and released into the garden and we have had a lot of lizards about due to warmer weather today.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2196

    Not been on here for a few days because of poor WiFi connection. Walking alone the R.Annan we saw a couple of Dippers and male Mergansers, many Swallows and Martin's, and heard what I took to be a Grasshopper Warbler. Yesterday we spotted a couple of Hares and singing away on the Gorse by the golf course a Redpoll. From the site we could see Roe Deer feeding in the fields. Lots of Butterflies about too, in particular Orangetips and Peacocks.

     

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2197

    Haven't been there before Oneputt. Is it an all year site? What's it best for?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2198

    Yes WN it’s all year.  Apart from what we saw today they also have Raft Spiders. Autum, Winter and early spring all sorts of waders.  Site provides roost for Raptors, Egrets etc.. Lots of rarities migrating through  as well. 

    If you want to keep an eye on what’s about, see below:

    http://home.clara.net/ammodytes/

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2019 #2199

    Out gardening today and saw a huge insect on the move on top of a big stone looked a bit closer to realise it was a large moth had just come out of its larval case and eventually in a small bush it found a branch and started to dry out which took about three and half hours and managed to get some good photos which will have to get OH to help post them on here, it was a Emperor moth first time I have seen one here and being able to get so close to it.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2200

    The new Emperor🇯🇵 (Moth) now that was apt and timely! wink

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited May 2019 #2201

    Had not thought about that and agree. Photo not so good on here a bit dark, that was my highlight yesterday in between gardening also had wall brown butterflies scarce and normal swallowtails as well.

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited May 2019 #2202

    The latest on the Emperor moth she has found a male and they are still busy since about 9.30am today !!!!! Have heard the Golden Oriole in the next field to us and also saw 2 swifts the first for this year.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2203

    I see there is Golden Oriole in Glos/Worcs today.  Bit too far for me to drive to see ityell

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2204

    Hopefully they will be poplar!wink

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited May 2019 #2205

    I have waited a long time to catch a Harrier skimming the reeds....yesterday was my lucky day.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2206

    Great to catch sight of one, we see them down on the Somerset moors, never seem to have a camera to hand. smile

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2207

    Great spot in the garden just now, a Woodcock briefly landed in the garden then took off and headed east.  Didn’t get a chance to pick up the camera

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited May 2019 #2208

    Hi Gl

    I am still trying to get a really good pic of a Harrier they don't often come close enough.

    Still we are heading for Suffolk and Minsmere etc. On Sunday for a week then Norfolk the week after before heading up to Bempton the 3rd week, so perhaps. Hoping the gret spotted woodpecker is still about and any other unusual's.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2209

    If the weather improves by Monday we may well head up to Gramborough Hill to see if the GSW still about 

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited May 2019 #2210

    Oops, I meant the Great Spotted Cuckoo. Do you know the location OP or isit found at Gramborough Head?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2211

    I also meant GSC, it seems to keep returning to Gramborough Hill.  If you drive and park on Beach Rd, Salthouse walk to the beach turn right you will come to the Hill.

    There is also a Purple Heron at Burnham Overy Staithe It’s been there a week or so but is quite mobile

    Hope this helps.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited May 2019 #2212

     BL....tell me about it,  only close  because it is just over its nest.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited May 2019 #2213

    Nothing in nature is wasted. Started to clear up the dishes after tea last night and noticed a load of feathers beneath the feeder tree. Best guess is the sparrowhawk made a kill.

    This morning, the local sparrows are scooping up the feathers for nest linnings.

    Blue tit chicks must be getting near to fledge, one of the parents is making the short trip, 20ft, between nest box and feeder tree about 60 times an hour, whilst other parent is coming back with grubs.

    At this rate, they will be to big to get out of the box, unfortunately we will be away for the fledge.

    Anyone taken the photo boat around Bempton with Steve Race, looks like an interesting trip.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2214

    Where are you staying whilst in Suffolk BM?

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited May 2019 #2215

    Hi OP

    We tried to book your suggest sites, but as it was last minute, they were not available, so we booked our usual, Cakes and Ale this week followed by Deersmead, south of Cromer next week.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2216

    Hope you have a great time BM.

    For the passed 2 years there has been a Bittern nesting about 100 yards behind the island hide

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited May 2019 #2217

    Thanks OP

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2218

    Just read that there are 4 x Dotterels at Chosely Drying barns which is about 1.5 miles inland from RSPB Titchwell.  Anyone want directions please let me know

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited May 2019 #2219

    We'd not long come back from our walk and I put up a couple of bird feeders and placed a handful of seed mix, containing sunflower seeds, on a stone by the pitch. Within 15 mins we had a visitor.....a Wood Mouse, stuffing it's cheeks with the SF seeds. We managed to get to within a couple of years of it and all it did was freeze while sitting on the seed pile.  It then continued eating when we'd returned to the van to watch it.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited May 2019 #2220

    Back from a walk direct from the CL we arrived at this morning. Lovely walk in the lower hills and woods. Had really good views of Wood Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cuckoos plus the usual migrant songbirds. Some Wood Sorrell and Tomentil.

    Off to Ynys Hir tomorrow. Might walk up there tonight after dinner.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited May 2019 #2221

    I really like Great Spotted Cuckoos for 3 reasons. Firstly their Punk Hairstyle, secondly their Cackle and lastly because they lay in Magpie nests. As Magpies are notoriously attentive I'm amazed at the GSC ability to get in and out without being seen. Always nice to see one.