Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Devonian  Heard two cuckoos yesterday - first time I've heard more than one for many years. I'd say plenty of chiff chaffs, blackcaps, and willow warblers this year but low numbers of swallow and house martin. Heard my first cuckoo of the year today in the south of the county, Deepings. Roger  |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons  For those of you who love Barn Owls - the Len Pick Trust Owl Project is up and running again this year. You can watch the parenting skills of this year's pair - they are in the box as I write - and the hope is we will see a first egg soon. There are useful notes to explain what is going on as the story develops. I find it hypnotic and keep it running on my backup pc. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Why not become an addict?  Roger Egg number 2 seen last night, 30th. Roger  |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 5,977 Location: Leeds W Yorks
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Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but near me there seems to be an extraordinary number of Blackbirds about at the moment? I wonder if this is the result of the warm early Spring? Unfortunately it's in sharp contrast to the number of Thrushes which are now a very rare sight (and sound) for me.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Northern Sky  Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but near me there seems to be an extraordinary number of Blackbirds about at the moment? I wonder if this is the result of the warm early Spring? Unfortunately it's in sharp contrast to the number of Thrushes which are now a very rare sight (and sound) for me. Not sure NS, seems normal blackbird numbers here but I'll keep an eye on it. We have mistle thrushes nesting in a field out the back. There are 6 sheep there, resting tups, that have invented their own game of "football" - chasing a hunting thrush as a team. Very entertaining to watch. It is clearly a game. Never seen that before, tho they do have a laddish game where they all pick on one of their number for a chase - and that usually ends in a butting match. Roger  Edited by user 03 May 2019 07:13:48(UTC)
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 02/05/2006(UTC) Posts: 30,473  Location: East Dartmoor
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Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons  Not sure NS, seems normal blackbird numbers here but I'll keep an eye on it. We have mistle thrushes nesting in a field out the back. There are 6 sheep there, resting tups, that have invented their own game of "football" - chasing a hunting thrushes as a team. Very entertaining to watch. It is clearly a game. Never seen that before, tho they do have a laddish game where they all pick on one of their number for a chase - and that usually ends in a butting match. Roger  Odd things, sheep... Anyway, what's your feeling about swallow numbers where you are/or this year in general? I think, with some migration time still to go, numbers are lower, the same with house martins. I read of bad weather in Iberia and that dust storm as being, perhaps, involved. |
"When it takes nearly 900,000 votes to elect one party’s MP, and just 26,000 for another, you know something is deeply wrong."
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Devonian  Odd things, sheep... Anyway, what's your feeling about swallow numbers where you are/or this year in general? I think, with some migration time still to go, numbers are lower, the same with house martins. I read of bad weather in Iberia and that dust storm as being, perhaps, involved. Factors affecting Swallow numbers by RSPB.https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow/population-trends/ I've noticed very few hirundines this year, Dev, but I intend spending next week having a good look on a selection of reserves and rivers. Roger  p.s. the oddest thing I have noticed about these tups is that they like to use anthills as pillows. Once these have been grazed short I often note individual sheep reclining on them and chewing the cud, like the Emperor Nero at a feast. First noticed it last year, but they are at it again. R. Edited by user 03 May 2019 07:10:50(UTC)
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 5,977 Location: Leeds W Yorks
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Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons  Not sure NS, seems normal blackbird numbers here but I'll keep an eye on it. We have mistle thrushes nesting in a field out the back. There are 6 sheep there, resting tups, that have invented their own game of "football" - chasing a hunting thrush as a team. Very entertaining to watch. It is clearly a game. Never seen that before, tho they do have a laddish game where they all pick on one of their number for a chase - and that usually ends in a butting match. Roger  Much better than watching the telly Roger! Good to hear you have nesting Thrushes, I really miss seeing and hearing them. Maybe we've just had a localised Blackbird surge! There does seem to be a large number of youngsters zooming in and out of the hedges and of course they are filling the trees with song, even last night when it was almost dark and I was on torchlit slug patrol.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons  Managed to grab a screen shot at 17.03hrs. Enjoy! Roger SHOW EXTERNAL IMAGES |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 20/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 6,404 Location: Central Southern England
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Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons  This is just brilliant to watch- even if the barnie is just breathing, up and down, up and down; I've instructions from no.4 (the birdwatcher of the offspring) to leave it on screen and call him when it gets duskier. So-see you. |
Bertie, Itchen Valley. Remember Finlake! |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Bertwhistle  This is just brilliant to watch- even if the barnie is just breathing, up and down, up and down; I've instructions from no.4 (the birdwatcher of the offspring) to leave it on screen and call him when it gets duskier. So-see you. Glad you are enjoying it, Bert. You will see every aspect of Barn Owl life in the nest - the male's constant nocturnal work to fetch prey for the sitting female - the frequent mating as a reward for bringing food - the mutual grooming, catching flies and searching the pellets for grubs. Have speakers on to hear the sounds they make. The microphones are good. Last year I could even hear sheep below. I even heard music from a local wedding next door! You should be able to identify the prey species brought in and once the eggs [hopefully] hatch you will see what the young get up to. Bear in mind the number of young is part of the survival strategy. Chick 3 will either make it or become food! Depends of the weather and food supply. Roger  Edited by user 03 May 2019 19:31:41(UTC)
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RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/11/2010(UTC) Posts: 6,833  Location: Leeds
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Over the past few days my garden has been swamped by rooks. They’re very common in the area but usually never visit the garden. All it took was one rook to land and now they’re all doing it. The word must have got around!
Speaking of swallows and swifts, not seen or heard a single one this year which isn’t good. We had our first in April last year. We have starlings and house sparrows nesting under our tiles and in brick vents. Locally they seem to be doing really well thanks to plenty of nesting sites. Edited by user 04 May 2019 13:43:59(UTC)
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Whitkirk, Leeds - 85m ASL. |
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 20/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 6,404 Location: Central Southern England
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Swallows and house martins plentiful over the Dun stream at West Dean, Wilts (pictured in my avatar). They were dashing across the water on Easter Saturday, catching insects in the warm air, and grabbing little beakfuls of mud for nesting. Thus far (and may it always be so) they are there every year, and, to punctuate a long cycle ride, I sit for quite a while on the bench from which this view was taken, watching their acrobatics. |
Bertie, Itchen Valley. Remember Finlake! |
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Joined: 05/04/2006(UTC) Posts: 14,763  Location: Chichester 12m. asl
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It has been observed that less snow falls here than any other place of equal extent in the kingdom, occasioned by the shelter of the hills and the warmth of the sea breezes - Alexander Hay, Guide to Chichester, 1805 |
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Joined: 02/05/2006(UTC) Posts: 30,473  Location: East Dartmoor
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"When it takes nearly 900,000 votes to elect one party’s MP, and just 26,000 for another, you know something is deeply wrong."
The electoral reform society, 14,12,19
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 05/04/2006(UTC) Posts: 4,207 
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Being predominantly a townie I know next to nothing about identifying birds (except for robins, blackbirds, thrushes and pigeons etc.) When I was out in Richmond Park last week I saw a bird I just didn't recognise at all but I made a note of its beak colour, leg colour and plumage description When at home I came across this site https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/identify-a-bird/ and typed in my observations Really good - came up with what I think was the right answer straight away It was a Spotted Crake (not even heard of that one before !) |
Martin Richmond, Surrey
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Joined: 05/04/2006(UTC) Posts: 49,241  Location: St Helens
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Seen my first swallows of the year today - although I've not really been looking. Pretty sure 'my' blackbird chicks successfully fledged. Seen a couple of young blackbirds in the vicinity round the garden. |
"Poverty exists not because we cannot feed the poor, but because we cannot satisfy the rich."
Martin Home: St Helens (26m asl) Work: Manchester (75m asl)
A TWO addict since 14/12/01
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Saint Snow  Seen my first swallows of the year today - although I've not really been looking. Pretty sure 'my' blackbird chicks successfully fledged. Seen a couple of young blackbirds in the vicinity round the garden. Lots of "hirundines" about today, Saint - sitting on phone/electricity lines and holding territory. A lot of starlings have fledged and we had a magpie attack and predate a fledged chick here yesterday. I've not seen any young blackbirds but I feel sure you are right - it's time. Roger  |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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Joined: 28/10/2008(UTC) Posts: 21,139  Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire, East Midlands
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Blackbirds are gathering nesting material from our garden again for the second time this year. Thankfully they’re building the nest in a conifer next door, rather than in sight of our cat, so I won’t be having kittens when the babies fledge!  |
Market Warsop, North Nottinghamshire. Join the fun and banter of the monthly CET competition. Discuss monthly temperatures and records.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 23/11/2008(UTC) Posts: 4,424  Location: Lincolnshire
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Originally Posted by: Caz  Blackbirds are gathering nesting material from our garden again for the second time this year. Thankfully they’re building the nest in a conifer next door, rather than in sight of our cat, so I won’t be having kittens when the babies fledge!  Most of us have done the following, myself included, so this is NOT criticising you, Caz.
- Feed the garden birds
- Allow them somewhere to nest
- Feel bad when a predator eats them
- Blame the predator for doing what comes naturally
Where the predator is a domestic pet like a cat, some folks rant about there being too many cats and the harm they do by killing "our" birds. On the other hand it is a truism that a predator is its prey's best friend and ally, as it is the means to weed out the weak and keep the population fit and in proportion. Populations of wild predators often follow the fluctuations of their prey populations. Not so pets, but then we have inflated garden populations of birds being stuffed with extra food, so they do need some additional control. Trouble is cats don't know when to stop. On a positive note, cats also control the numbers of small mammals that scoff your surplus birdfood on the ground. There are more of these than you might expect because you are feeding them so well! As the nonsense verse goes: "Big fleas have little fleas upon their backs the bite 'em. Little fleas have smaller fleas, so on ad infinitum." Has anyone found a good strategy for deterring cats from murdering birds in the garden? Roger  |
RogerP West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire No county (Lincolnshire) has better churches and worse houses. The poorer sort of people wash their clothes with hog's dung, and burn dried cow's dung for want of better fuel; whence comes the Lincolnshire proverb: "Where the hogs shite soap and the cows shite fire". Curiosities of Great Britain (c.1780) |
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