Any day here too for the blue tits who are nesting in our roof. Magpies are the the main predator here to many of the song birds. The magpies were even taking my gold fish from the pond a couple of years back.
So far the birdfeeder I've stuck into the front garden of my flat has only attracted lots of great tits - one there right this second, even - and the occasional goldfinch. Nothing else at all. I guess those are the only birds brave enough to visit a front garden by a fairly well-used road!
At one point the White-tailed Eagle in the in-flight picture was "mobbed" by a Buzzard. I wish I had a picture of it, because it's only when you have another bird in shot that you really appreciate the sheer size and majesty of the Eagle. Made the Buzzard look like a pigeon.
For anyone who doesn't know it the Merlin app is a great free download. You just turn it on and it identifies any bird song that is audible in the moment. It covers most of the world although I've only downloaded the birds of GB and Ireland at the moment. It's a great way to encourage children to be interested.
the blue tits in our garden bird box are about to fledge by the looks of it, been sticking their heads out for a couple of days now
Ours fledged a few days back - thankfully, next door neighbour’s cat didn’t get any this year
my missus literally hasn't moved from the garden sofa under a duvet as she's desperate to watch them go (and to ensure the dogs stay away!)
When ours fledged it was lovely, as mum and dad were up in the silver birch adjacent to the bird box, singing away encouraging the chicks to come out - one by one they did, until the whole family were up in the tree chirping and chattering - mum and dad continued to feed them in the tree for a few hours - next day all were gone - the mum and dad worked SO hard to raise them - in and out the box all day long - they are I bet having a well deserved rest now
I went on a boat trip to Skomer, Grassholm and Skokholm Islands last week. I got several reasonable pictures of the birds, but I reckon this Gannet is the best.
I went on a boat trip to Skomer, Grassholm and Skokholm Islands last week. I got several reasonable pictures of the birds, but I reckon this Gannet is the best.
How are the Puffin and Manx Shearwater numbers this year?
I don't know about the numbers, but I saw both. I actually went on a different boat trip earlier in the month specifically to see the Shearwaters. It goes to Skomer and then out to open sea about dusk - this is the time the Shearwaters head inland, otherwise they are mostly too far out to see them. On both boat trips Puffins seemed to be in abundance, and we saw quite a lot of Shearwaters on the dedicated trip. I've not been before though, so I can't honestly say that I know what 'good' looks like.
Lovely puffin shot. The staff & volunteers on the islands are routinely involved in surveying, counting & ringing various species and all very happy to talk to we visitors. Quite the privilege to get to visit these important sites and similarly the Farne Islands but man oh man the stench of guano, once experienced never forgotten.
Beeaters are back in Norfolk on the North Coast. They bred last year and are back at the same site again this year. A small quarry in a place called Trimmingham. Brilliant little birds!
So far the birdfeeder I've stuck into the front garden of my flat has only attracted lots of great tits - one there right this second, even - and the occasional goldfinch. Nothing else at all. I guess those are the only birds brave enough to visit a front garden by a fairly well-used road!
Starlings wouldn’t bat an eyelid…..sodding things can completely strip your feeders within half an hour. I and my neighbours are currently at war with them, we have a large flock roosting in the woods nearby….all the young are particularly active right now and the bastards are also shitting all over the old wooden and cast iron garden bench I took hours refurbishing last autumn. All other species barely get a look in.
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Probably an escapee. They are often used to control/disperse pigeon populations.
(You probably already know all this).
Just how cute are these? Answer is hidden below for anyone who wants to guess the species.
The staff & volunteers on the islands are routinely involved in surveying, counting & ringing various species and all very happy to talk to we visitors.
Quite the privilege to get to visit these important sites and similarly the Farne Islands but man oh man the stench of guano, once experienced never forgotten.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeiran_chaffinch
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores_chaffinch
I and my neighbours are currently at war with them, we have a large flock roosting in the woods nearby….all the young are particularly active right now and the bastards are also shitting all over the old wooden and cast iron garden bench I took hours refurbishing last autumn.
All other species barely get a look in.