http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums from bird identification, feeders and bird anatomy to bird boxes and bird box cameras en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:32:50 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63193-northern-bird-festival.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:34:49 GMT Don't forget folks its the Northern Bird Festival at Martin Mere this Saturday and Sunday. See North West Bird Watching Festival - Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) for more information but there's lots of traders' stands, some excellent speakers and a chance to take a look at the Whoopers, Pink Foot Geese, and the other visitors to the Mere as well as the collection in the ornamental gardens. ]]> British Birds Lensman400 http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63193-northern-bird-festival.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63187-no-fishing-draycote-next-year.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:48:43 GMT Just wondered what the reaction was to the ban on fishing at Draycote next year. Good news for the birdwatchers there or no feelings either way? Just wondered what the reaction was to the ban on fishing at Draycote next year. Good news for the birdwatchers there or no feelings either way? ]]> British Birds spuggie http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63187-no-fishing-draycote-next-year.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63180-unusual-blue-tit-roost.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:37:51 GMT Some time ago, someone in the family bought us one of these

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/3/520...6d18bd.jpg?v=0

After a few years outside in all weathers, the frost got to it and it fell to pieces. Hubby took the head and tied it to a branch of a May tree in our garden (don't ask me why as it does seem rather macabre), before chucking the rest out.

Tonight I was outside and saw a blue tit sitting in the tree, which is alongside our shed, and we have seem blue tits roosting under the eaves of the shed in the past. I thought I'd watch to see where he went, and was so surprised to see, instead of heading for the shed, he flew down to the pottery head. I thought he was just looking to a last few spiders before he went to roost, but no, he hung unside down on it for a few seconds, before squeezing through the hole in the bottom and disappearing up into the hanging head. And there he stayed .....

Its blowing an absolute hooley here tonight, and rain battering the windows, and every time we get a really strong gust, I think of the little bluey all huddled up in his little terracotta house outside. They don't miss a trick do they! ]]> British Birds werdnal http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63180-unusual-blue-tit-roost.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63176-wild-life-channel.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:54:33 GMT Wild Life Channel TV (http://www.wildlifechannel.tv/) Thought id post this link. Its mainly on birds but there are some bits of film on mammals. enjoy regards mark.... Wild Life Channel TV
Thought id post this link. Its mainly on birds but there are some bits of film on mammals.
enjoy regards mark.... ]]> British Birds dunlin http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63176-wild-life-channel.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63158-bad-feathers-wood-pigeon.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:12:45 GMT Hi everyone,

I need some advice on a wood pigeon that my mum rescued.

She found it quite young, brought it home, put it in a box with some water and seed until it was stronger.

I don't know if there is something wrong with it or what, but half of its tail feathers are missing and his wings are looking pretty shabby too.

Is there something I can give it to help or is it just a matter of waiting til they grow back?

I would assume that he's about 6 months old.

Thanks for any help and advice,
Cassie ]]> British Birds ctaylorhill http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63158-bad-feathers-wood-pigeon.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63154-feeding-ducks.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:24:14 GMT Not that I do anyway, have read conflicting reports about feeding bread to ducks, is it bad for them as some has suggested or is it a load of old tosh. Personally I would have thought feeding them corn would be better as they would taste a lot nicer (especially with some roast spuds done in goose... Not that I do anyway, have read conflicting reports about feeding bread to ducks, is it bad for them as some has suggested or is it a load of old tosh. Personally I would have thought feeding them corn would be better as they would taste a lot nicer (especially with some roast spuds done in goose fat). ]]> British Birds Stinky Bob http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63154-feeding-ducks.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63152-sparrow.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:58:28 GMT Hello, Although the bird in the attached photo appears to be rather like the Rock Sparrow on page 43 of my 2003 copy of the RSPB Pocket Bird book, could one of you wise ladies/gentlemen confirm that it is just a bog standard female House Sparrow ? Many thanks, David Image:... Hello,

Although the bird in the attached photo appears to be rather like the Rock Sparrow on page 43 of my 2003 copy of the RSPB Pocket Bird book, could one of you wise ladies/gentlemen confirm that it is just a bog standard female House Sparrow ?

Many thanks,
David


]]> British Birds mrs12662008 http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63152-sparrow.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63133-killer-pheasant.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:37:58 GMT I sat waiting for a covey of Red legged partridge to get within range when a pheasant some distance away started acting strangely, it was hopping up and down and stamping among the corn stubble. After a few minutes it set off at a fair old lick across the ground. To my surprise it had a field vole,... I sat waiting for a covey of Red legged partridge to get within range when a pheasant some distance away started acting strangely, it was hopping up and down and stamping among the corn stubble. After a few minutes it set off at a fair old lick across the ground. To my surprise it had a field vole, obviously very dead, in its beak. Stopping every few yards it dropped the vole, had a look around picked up the vole and ran on again. It left me wondering how regular this happens and if this kind of thing had been witnessed by others.
I was struggling for light at the time and the bird was moving quite quickly, accounting for a fair degree of motion blur in the picture, however I think it is sufficiently sharp to illustrate the point.

Keith.


]]> British Birds Blackbrook Eye http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63133-killer-pheasant.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63117-swift.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:42:04 GMT I may be wrong but this morning a bird flew over the garden quite fast and fairly low and it looked like a Swift, but in November? surely its far too late for Swifts to be still be around even though it is very mild. Ian I may be wrong but this morning a bird flew over the garden quite fast and fairly low and it looked like a Swift, but in November? surely its far too late for Swifts to be still be around even though it is very mild.


Ian ]]> British Birds Beekeeper http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63117-swift.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63105-stop-killing-birds-prey.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:58:48 GMT I have been volunteering for the RSPB and am shocked to hear about the continued illegal killing of birds of prey even in these enlightened times. They are being shot, trapped and poisoned in ways that put other wildlife and even pets at risk. I have signed the RSPB pledge to support their... I have been volunteering for the RSPB and am shocked to hear about the continued illegal killing of birds of prey even in these enlightened times. They are being shot, trapped and poisoned in ways that put other wildlife and even pets at risk. I have signed the RSPB pledge to support their efforts to stop this cruel and unnecessary killing of these magnificent birds.
Please do the same by visiting this link
The RSPB: Birds of prey ]]> British Birds highwater48 http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63105-stop-killing-birds-prey.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63100-fieldfares.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:24:41 GMT I have been seeing the odd group of Fieldfares feeding on the Hawthorn berries for the last couple of weeks. This morning there was a large flock of about three hundred birds feeding on a hedgerow. On my patch there are not so many berries on the trees as last year so I think they will clear them... I have been seeing the odd group of Fieldfares feeding on the Hawthorn berries for the last couple of weeks.
This morning there was a large flock of about three hundred birds feeding on a hedgerow.
On my patch there are not so many berries on the trees as last year so I think they will clear them up very quickly.
I hope its just this area where there is a shortage of berries and not a national thing, otherwise with the speed that they can clear them up they will soon be gone.
I guess there are other things that they can feed on.
]]> British Birds snake http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63100-fieldfares.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63098-redwings-overhead.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:14:36 GMT I took advantage of the sunshine and was out in the back garden hoping for something interesting to either pop in or fly over. It all seems very quiet at the moment with birds still out in the fields and not really attracted by our feeders. Suddenly, I saw a small flock of birds barrelling... I took advantage of the sunshine and was out in the back garden hoping for something interesting to either pop in or fly over. It all seems very quiet at the moment with birds still out in the fields and not really attracted by our feeders.

Suddenly, I saw a small flock of birds barrelling across the sky and highlighted by the sun.

I managed to snap them just as they passed by. I did not know what they were as everything happened so quickly. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they were redwings - just as elusive in the sky as on the ground.

Anyway, here a couple of snaps:



This is a crop from the previous crop



Finally, thank you and good night as they zoomed off



Colin ]]> British Birds colincurry http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63098-redwings-overhead.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63092-snipe.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:29:34 GMT While on my visit to Hollingworth lake to see the Great Northern Diver yesterday (a success, see thread), I came across these two birds hidden away in the rushes. I had deduced that they were Snipe or at least a similar species, but thought I had better try and get confirmation on WAB. So are they... While on my visit to Hollingworth lake to see the Great Northern Diver yesterday (a success, see thread), I came across these two birds hidden away in the rushes. I had deduced that they were Snipe or at least a similar species, but thought I had better try and get confirmation on WAB. So are they Snipe? Sorry it's a poor photo, but hopefully you can just about see one of them at least.

]]> British Birds James M http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63092-snipe.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63064-hopskotch-one-legged-seagull.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:42:14 GMT Hello all

This thread is aimed mainly at fellow wildlife rehab-ers out there. We are after second opinions.

Last week we had a black headed gull admitted that was being attacked by other birds. We treated it's wounds but discovered that it has only one leg! No sign that there ever was a second leg - no stump, trauma, scar tissue - nothing to suggest that this bird ever had two legs. We think it was born this way.

Our dilemma is this - ordinarily we would never contemplate releasing a one-legged bird, however in this case, it seems that the bird has obviously been coping with it's disability as it's weight and general condition are good. I would just like to canvas other member's opinions on the matter - is it a candidate for release - or not.

Also, it is cygnet time. At this time of year they drop out of the sky after taking their maiden flight and realising that they don't know how to land properly. We have about half a dozen crash-landed cygnets that we will be over-wintering. One of them unfortunately, lost the use of one eye in the impact. Our instincts are that this will have to be a sanctuary bird but the same question applies - release, or not to release.

Cheers ]]> British Birds FoxtonWildlifeRescue http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63064-hopskotch-one-legged-seagull.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63060-big-nuts-birds.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:08:27 GMT so i built my own huge bird feeder yet when i came to fill it with peanuts i found i'd made a slight oversight and the mesh was slightly too big. finally i found some smaller mesh but what to do with this big feeder now? where can i get bigger nuts? ]]> British Birds parsleythelion http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/63060-big-nuts-birds.html