Bird of the day! - Page 55

John · #**1351** (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 09:41 AM

I have been fortunate to have these birds for the last three years visit my garden. In 2006 they were here for a while so I hope this winters Siskins stay around for the winter.

BTW have you noticed that in my reply to Adam I have now seen four in the garden this morning.

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I'm envious John. I had one visit for a couple of days just before Xmas, but now I'm back after having been away for a few days and there's no sign of it.

I'm hoping it will put in an appearance soon.

Matt

matt_xyz · #**1352** (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

I have been fortunate to have these birds for the last three years visit my garden. In 2006 they were here for a while so I hope this winters Siskins stay around for the winter.

BTW have you noticed that in my reply to Adam I have now seen four in the garden this morning.

John

yes John, 4 is even better. I also had a regular flock of them in 2006 but not a single one last year. I've been hoping they'll come back this year so I'm keeping a regular eye out for them. They're lovely looking birds aren't they, and also a bit more approachable than some.

Matt

John · #**1353** (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 09:59 AM

I am just going out to a relatively local reserve that you know of (Whitacre Heath) in the hope that they are on the feeders there (and that there is room in the hide). If they are I should be in with a chance of some good photographs.

If I get them I will post some images on this thread.

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

yes John, 4 is even better. I also had a regular flock of them in 2006 but not a single one last year. I've been hoping they'll come back this year so I'm keeping a regular eye out for them. They're lovely looking birds aren't they, and also a bit more approachable than some.

Matt

aeshna5 · #**1354** (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 02:49 PM

Went to Tottenham Marshes today for the first time on an organised walk. Along this concrete relief channel was an obliging Green Sandpiper with both a Grey + Pied Wagtail landing next to it.

Other goodies in the area were Sparrowhawk, 3 prs Stonechat, Fieldfare, Chiffchaff + a flock of c30 Linnets. Quite a good urban half-day!

mrs fish · #**1355** (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 07:51 PM

My bird to-day is the sparrowhawk because he/she landed in the garden

I was looking out of the kitchen window when I saw a large shaped bird pass by and it landed in the tree missing any prey it was after

The gulls were on their way home as it was getting dusk otherwise it wouldn't of came near the house.

It only stayed long enough for me to get one of my usual photographs, it was then taking off when the camera clicked and I was behing the glass door, I'll post it anyway

glsammy · #**1356** (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 08:47 PM

Mine was a totally unexpected resident bird at my favourite local site, Rufford Park.
That place never disappoints, there's always something good there. Today it was a Water Rail, this normally timid bird has settled on a small floating island of grasses, which is positioned only six foot away from a major footpath through the Park. They are supposed to be shy birds, this one was giving a display for us all afternoon!

John · #**1357** (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 09:02 PM

I went to Whitacre Heath NR, near Coleshill, Warks in the hope that there were some Siskins and possibly even a Brambling.

Sadly nothing unusual was to be seen but I did manage a shot of the male Great Spotted Woodpecker that was flying around with the female.

John

Scarlet Pimpernel · #**1358** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 04:44 PM

Yellow Browed Warbler at Beachy Head, East Sussex

Cheers Jacob

Chris Hawes · #**1359** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 05:17 PM

Saw our first ever short-eared owls today - actually about 5 of them, at Elmley Marshes. The highlight was three of them in the air at once, dive-bombing a peregrine on the ground!

aeshna5 · #**1360** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hawes

Saw our first ever short-eared owls today - actually about 5 of them, at Elmley Marshes. The highlight was three of them in the air at once, dive-bombing a peregrine on the ground!

Excellent stuff Chris- Elmley is a good sight for these birds + generally excellent for raptors. SEO are magnificent birds- I can imagine your excitement if they were your first; I still get a thrill after many years of seeing them!

Adam Cheeseman · #**1361** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 07:18 PM

Today's must be the 2 Lapland Buntings in amongst 30+ Snow Buntings on the beach at Salthouse. They took me to 250 for the year. Other highlights on what was quite a poor day was a flock of over 500 Whooper Swans near Shippea Hill station, and 2 Barn Owls right by the road side, one at Holkham, the other near Holt.

Cheers,

Adam

John · #**1362** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 07:29 PM

The weather report was for a fine sunny day so I decided to go to Yorkshire with my mate to see the Desert Wheatear that has been a long stayer there. It was at Burniston, near Scarborough. Thankfully it was easy to find but I had mixed emotions with this bird. It was fantastic to see it but the weather conditions were too bad for serious photography. How on earth can the weather forecasters get it so wrong as it was very dull and overcast. I upped the ISO to 800 and still got only 1/80th.

I really thought I was in with a chance of a good photo but this is probably the best of the bunch.

If it sticks around for a few more weeks I might try for it again if the weather conditions are right.

Definitely my bird of the day although Steve took me to Langdale Forest, not far away, and we were privileged to watch 20+ Crossbills and about the same number of Siskins there.

John

Deer Stalker · #**1363** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 07:31 PM

My bird of the day was a male Sparrowhawk that flew over my head on the Forest.
There were also singing Dartford Warblers & Crossbill.

Brocker · #**1364** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 08:12 PM

My bird of the day is this little lady. She hunts near my home and I have spotted her on several occasions but never close enough to get a good pic. Until yesterday. Then she did me the honor. Lovely. . . .

Dan Salter · #**1365** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hawes

Saw our first ever short-eared owls today - actually about 5 of them, at Elmley Marshes. The highlight was three of them in the air at once, dive-bombing a peregrine on the ground!

Nice one Chris !....I work at Elmley 2 days a week as a voluntary warden as part of my degree....the SEO's regularly keep me entertained!...keep em peeled though as the last time I was watching 3 at once it was actually two SE hounding a Long Eared !

sleipnerofasgard · #**1366** (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 11:15 PM

Has to be the very colourful marsh harrier showing at martin mere today ,very obliging and stayed around all day,i like to think especially for me

Chris Hawes · #**1367** (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Nice one Chris !....I work at Elmley 2 days a week as a voluntary warden as part of my degree....the SEO's regularly keep me entertained!...keep em peeled though as the last time I was watching 3 at once it was actually two SE hounding a Long Eared !

That must have been quite a sight Dan! This was our first trip to Elmley and we'll definitely be back. It's only 30 minutes or so from where we are, and we were very impressed (and we only made it to two of the hides as there was too much going on - and it was started to get dark).

sanderling · #**1368** (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 12:07 PM

Saw these Brent Geese yesterday at Springvale beach, Isle of Wight. I've been helping to count them as part of the wildlife trust survey.

I like to hear their low, gaggling noise. In November there were up well over a thousand gathered along here and at Ryde beach, where they like to feed on the eel-grass, zostera marina.

Nick T · #**1369** (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 08:49 AM

Well having missed good Buzzard photo yesterday by turning round to get my flask out

I tried a different hide at my local Nature reserve and came up with 3 siskins and a very tame reed bunting !

Lets hope 2008 is as good for everyone

therealbobbo · #**1370** (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 12:51 PM

Well,2008 has started well,about 8.30,driving through the town,as I went over the river,I saw a little egret,never seen one in Farnham before,bobbo!

GuyF · #**1371** (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 12:57 PM

My birds of the day for yesterday were 3 Long-tailed Ducks that were in Portland Harbour, only the second time I've seen them. Had some very nice supporting birds as well with 4 Velvet Scoter, Red-throated and Great Northern Divers, Med Gulls, Razorbills, Goldeneye and displaying Mergansers.
Guy

aestarte · #**1372** (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 01:11 PM

I would like to say my bird of the day is the pied wagtail because when I opened the kitchen curtains this morning there were three of the little sweethearts on my doorstep eating some bread which I assume was another birds loss. I nearly broke in to Bob Marley. Fi. X X X X

MagpieMick · #**1373** (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 05:44 PM

Well i birded 3 counties today....

First was West Sussex, Then East Sussex and Kent.....

My bird of the day....

HUME'S LEAF WARBLER

At Horseshoe Plantation, Beachy Head, East Sussex..

Gaina · #**1374** (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagpieMick

Well i birded 3 counties today....

First was West Sussex, Then East Sussex and Kent.....

My bird of the day....

HUME'S LEAF WARBLER

At Horseshoe Plantation, Beachy Head, East Sussex..

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