What have you seen
Comments
-
I remember once having to wait whilst an Oystercatcher decided to finish eating whatever it was that they had dug up before I was able to play my next shot on a golf course in Scotland. It should have waited for me to play as I'm sure I would have dug up a fair bit of ground for it to mooch in.
Happily no longer play the game.1 -
Have see quite a few Swallows down here in SE Wales and heard our first Cuckoo yesterday when we were up on the moors above the site.
1 -
Unusual occurrence for us today.
Late afternoon we were innundated with Starlings, who obviously heard about our Exclusive top of the range Bird Bath and all you can eat buffet, mainly consisting of Forget-me-not seeds.
I really can't remember the last time I saw more than the odd passing Starling in our garden. Today there well over 30 of them, 6 at a time in the bath. Had to admire a lone Sparrow who insisted he was not for moving out of the bath and wouldn't be bullied. Brave little soul.
And then in a blink of an eye they were gone. Like a mirage (except it was raining🐥🐥🐥🐥🌧️🌧️🌧️).
2 -
1st swifts of the year for us today at Titchwell reserve.
We’ve had a wonderful 2 weeks birding in Norfolk, and really good to have a much needed change of scenery.
Back home tomorrow, back to winter from what I’ve heard ⛄️.
Maybe check out a short break in Istanbul for the end of this month....🤔, only joking, not a chance whatsoever 🙂🙂🙂
1 -
Walking on Rhossili Downs today where we watch both Buzzards and a Red Kite riding the thermals. On the lower path we saw Stone Chats, M & F, Swallows and both heard and then spotted a Chiffchat. There are also House Martins flying around the site we are staying on.
2 -
We had a mistle thrush on the lawn this morning, we very rarely see those, and it was lovely to watch. Rich pickings for it, as it was raining hard and it found quite a few juicy worms! It spent quite some time going all over the lawn, eating what it found, and eventually flew off with some in its beak, so presumably it has young. Who knows, after such a feast, it may decide to come again soon, I hope so!
2 -
A pair of Oyster Catchers have taken over a pitch here at Culloden. A chain fence has been put round the pitch and cones put on those to either side and opposite to prevent use. The site isn’t that full at the moment as the toilets are out of action and there have been quite a few cancellations, so it’s not a significant problem. Everyone has been asked to keep well away. They don’t mind cars and vans passing but when a couple went past on cycles the bird left the nest and ran off presumably as a distraction, before walking slowly back. The one not on the nest seems to spend a lot of time in the field alongside the site but perhaps flys off to the nearby Moray firth. The close up isn’t that sharp, as it was difficult holding my phone with the telephoto attachment steady.
2 -
Had a smashing walk today along some sand dunes at Newborough on Angelsey and next to the Red Squirrel haunting forest.
The birds were good as well with a lot of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats and a first of the year for us as we saw a Whinchat. Swifts and Swallows as well and quite a few of these are repeated on our CL. Seems to be a lot of Willow Warblers. I can see I'm going to enjoy a great Dawn Chorus tomorrow.
1 -
Had a Hoopoe outside the kitchen window busy looking for insects in the ground then it went around the house so I followed inside to different windows had a good dig in one part of the plot, did not know that their favourite food is Mole Crickets not seen any here but will look out for them very strange looking crickets mainly live underground.
Our dawn chorus is good at the moment Nightingales, blackcaps, finches, blackbirds other warblers, redstarts both black and common, at least two cuckoos.
2 -
Well, I missed my dawn chorus but did provide one of my own by way of sonorous snoring.
Had a good days walking with bits of birdwatching en route, both during the day and about an hour ago. Our first Robin chick, with dad, and some Sandwich Terns just off Rhosneigor beach plus a Garden Warbler back at the caravan.
Lots of new Mayfly out and about. Very late this year.
1 -
Had a picnic today on a country park with a lot of large ponds so plenty of birdlife singing away nightingales, blackcaps, golden orioles,willowwarblers, even a large flock of greylag geese and they seemed to be there all the time unusual to see so many about 50 most sat down and other preening but no young ones, blackbirds swallow and swifts flying around could have stayed a lot longer but needed to get back home.
1 -
Very nice RK.
We had quite a few birds today as we visited a lovely reserve on Angelsey. Sedge and Reed Warblers (first of the year for Reedies), Wheatear, Bullfinches, Bittern flying over the reeds and also booming away, Cettis and Grasshopper Warblers. There was also a pair of Mute Swans with 8 of the cutest little cygnets all staying very close to parents. Plus some Bog Bean.
Later on we walked beside a bubbling stream so Grey Wagtails and Dippers. The banks were full of Bluebells still.
1 -
Thanks WN. Looks like you had a good day.
There was Herons and Cattle Egrets flying over, there is a village not far from us and has a lovely clear stream flowing through it so a lot of Dragonflies about later also next to a house with a larger area of the stream there is two swans but not seen any young with them and they are there all year.
1 -
Went to South Stacks on Holyhead to view the seabird colony this afternoon.
Beautiful afternoon so it was an enjoyable interlude watching the Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Chough. Some of the smaller birds were interesting as well. Wheatear, Rock Pipit and a Black Redstart. Still waiting for Mrs WN to identify some of the plant life but she has a book in hand and a drink at the ready so it may be a while yet.😁
3 -
Had the Hoopoe again outside the kitchen window and this morning had 3 European Serin inside my ground feeder cage sharing with the Greenfinches the 1 male Serin had a incredible bright yellow around his head not had them here before so a tick for me.
0 -
Very cheery little birds are Serins RK. Always chattering away. They remind me of wind chimes sometimes.
Not expecting to see a great deal, nature wise today, on our walk but came across several small flocks of Eider near the water edge just off Beaumaris on Angelsey, also saw a few Sand Martins flying into their nests in the sandy bits of the cliffs. Masses of Wild Garlic in flower which was just as well as we passed the "Water Treatment Works" en route and we even saw some Herb Robert.
0 -
Not a usual sighting, but we saw Wally the Walrus sunning himself on the slipway of the Life Boat Station at Tenby this morning.
2 -
A walk along the Staffordshire & Worcester canal produced numerous Orange Tips, a grey wagtail, quite a few buzzards, robin, and an iridescent blue arrow streaking along the canal. AS always too quick to photograph. Our local one back home always eludes me although numerous pictures of her find their way on to our local Facebook group.
2 -
Yesterday spotted a Brambling and paid of Bullfinches on my morning walk. Today it was Red Kites, Buzzards and Gannets.
1 -
Good news on the Oyster Catchers at Culloden. We stopped off for a night on our way south. Two eggs hatched and the chicks and parents moved home into the adjacent field. Not that they really need the pitches, not even for half term, as the toilet block is still out of order.
1
