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In reply to Post #120
Just been seen again.
Will be having a visit if it gets pinned down.
Stunning birds.
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Reports of a Belted Kingfisher being spotted on the Ribble around Brockholes last couple of days. Be crawling with twitchers if true.
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In reply to Post #118
Watched it, I was hoping that sea eagle was going to take the otter, drat! 
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Autumn watch back tonight 
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In reply to Post #116
I used to say most of the birds round here were troglodytes, surprised I didn't work it out sooner 
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In reply to Post #111
Bottom one is definitely a wren.
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In reply to Post #113
Blue tit size that one
Mmmmm, could have some cuckoo in it that one? 
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In reply to Post #112
Blue tit size that one, when I've seen wrens they've always been in groups, and not much bigger than a squash ball.
I'll see what I can do to clean that image up shortly, I'm trying to filter what I want out of a few thousand on the card 
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In reply to Post #111
Pictures
Greater spotted as discussed.
Bottom one looks like a wren to me, with the tail, was it a tiny bird?
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In reply to Post #110
I won't be lounging in the garden in a T-Shirt and shorts today, cold and windy out 
Not very detailed and I'm not sure this is the same bird, it just happened to land on the fence while I had the camera to hand. I might see if I can get a bit more detail out on the computer later. This could be a dunnock but I remember the little one being a flatter/smoother colour
Edit, I think the bottom one is a female tree sparrow, not the one I'm trying to Id, that one is smaller, a more brown colour
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So much for the weather, snowing this morning!
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In reply to Post #107
Enjoy the cider mate, about to crack the top off a Stella or two
Weather is cold up here, freezing yesterday, went out at 5.30am this morning, car temperature gauge said 4 degree, Windows iced up! real cold edge to the wind. Brrrrrrrrrr 
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In reply to Post #106
Just done some quick and dirty edits in the camera, a couple of the shots aren't too bad considering it was 70 ish yds away in fading light, I've had too many ciders to put a pic on here now tho 
Glorious weather in London today🌞
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In reply to Post #102
There the ones!
Fished one water a few times and there used to be a flock of green ones that used to turn up, like little penguins waddling down the bank for a drink 
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In reply to Post #104
You may well be right with it being a Warbler of some type, pretty difficult to identify as there are quite a few in the Warbler genus
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In reply to Post #103
I'd have to get a photo of it to Id it I think, skittish little blighter tho.
Wren sort of size, similar sounding but the colour like the warbler in the link, and I only see one, wrens I've always seen in groups, it's annoying me now
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In reply to Post #100
Tend to be a flat greyish/ brown chest on a Dunnock. Has a fast flick of the tail like a wagtail. Could be a female Linnet or Greenfinch in that environment mate.
My mother gets regular woodpeckers on her feeders, Greater spotted, stunning bird.
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In reply to Post #101
The black spotted ones
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In reply to Post #100
Green or greater spotted peckers?
My dad has some fruit trees, destroyed them the buggers, holes all over them
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In reply to Post #99
My Mrs said that but the dunnock picture I looked at was sort of sparrow coloured, where the one I see is a flat colour.
I can't really filter much by habitat as I'm in an urban area but backing on to a large park with woodland, wetland, meadows and a river
Ive been hearing woodpeckers for three years but finally saw one last week
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In reply to Post #97
Could be a Dunnock.
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In reply to Post #97
Mmmmm, Buzzard
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In reply to Post #96
It's brown with a pretty, chirpy song
Edit: I'm guessing Reed warbler but I don't remember it sounding like that
Reed warbler
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In reply to Post #95
One I can't identify, Robin shaped but smaller without the red, searches for bugs and doesn't go near the feeders, not seen it before
Well, that makes it a lot easier
How about sticking to ones that live in bras
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In reply to Post #94
Been getting more birds in the garden this year, 3 types of tit fighting the sparrows at the feeders
One I can't identify, Robin shaped but smaller without the red, searches for bugs and doesn't go near the feeders, not seen it before
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In reply to Post #93
First blank of the year. Was up at 4.30, at the water for just after 5 and packed up at 11, freezing, said 5 degree, felt like zero!
Sat there as dawn broke and the chorus kicked in mate, beautiful, flock of long tailed tits on this water, proper little workers, bug hunting, really nice to see, seem to come and go every couple of hours, up and down the undergrowth around the lake, saw a kingfisher, think I will put a branch near the edge of my swim for him and hopefully get some good pictures, couple of grebes, one had a perch for breakfast, heron blanked lol, tuffties, coots and some big bloody cormorants which are residents in the tree near by.
Sat there, body warmer on, jacket with my freezing feet in my Merrels and thought, nothing is happening today, pulled the sticks up, needs another couple of weeks yet looking at the weather
Was talking to a bloke on the walk back, said he had seen some swallows, surprised me that but I hope he has
Things are coming good again, roll on the warmer weather 
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In reply to Post #92
True, the changing flora and fauna with the seasons is special in this country. Hope you got a bend in the rod
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In reply to Post #90
Nice one
I’m out tomorrow, can’t wait, bit of fishing, at one with nature, no better place to relax than the British countryside, immense, right time of year and everything is waking up, longer days and bring on the sun, life returns 
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In reply to Post #89
Nice, beats work that!
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Spotted a group of 20+ sand martins feeding on the wing heading NW this afternoon whilst out. Good to see they've arrived 
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Out for the day today flinging a few lures and having a look at what's going on at a lake I fancy this spring. Spotted a pair of song thrushes and a pair of Mistle thrushes. Sat in the sun had my lunch with at least 4 Willow Warblers in the hawthorne trees behind me singing their heads off. Quality
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In reply to Post #87
We have quite a few. I always have selection of feeders out too, the neighbour has pissed me off, trying to top trump me, gone out and bought a load of fancy feeders, birds all over them
We have cherry tree, they like that too and one area of the garden I put a load of meadows flowers in, all overgrown, full of bugs and the like, birds are always in it, got the dreaded fast growing conifers that they nest in, along with the bats. Love to see the wildlife in the garden, we have a rogue squirrel that comes in and out now and again too, just nice to see and it’s free
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In reply to Post #85
Might plant a few winter berry plants
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In reply to Post #84
Not spotted a group in years unfortunately, thought I'd seen the odd one but couldn't be sure. Incredible they'd fly over that sea in winter. Nice spot
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In reply to Post #84
Nice one
Couple of years ago now we had a flock of Fieldfare do exactly the same, I would say about 20 birds, we have a few bushes with berry’s on, they came in and out for a few days, wiped the lot out, really nice to see, not seen them since sadly, complete one off, guess they were just passing through
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In reply to Post #83
We have a group of Redwings this year visiting the berries of the holly bush outside our bay window. They have arrived from Scandinavia apparently. There were 6 and now around 10 others have joined them. I suspect as soon as the berries run out they will move on, but I spoke to my neighbour and it's their first visit to our little council estate that she's known of since they've been here, and that was around twenty years ago.
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In reply to Post #82
Watch out for the Ravens G, doomsday could be here sooner than we think
During this crappy lockdown I have been going out on my mountain bike as well as walking. Seen quite a few Curlew of late, in numbers too, plus red grouse which is really nice to see. Seen a few arctic hares too. Love been out in the countryside, fresh air, stunning scenery along with the wildlife, gets me by during this **** storm
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Saw a family of 3 sparrowhawks this Sunday ,today , a pair of ravens flew over and i heard their distinctive haw haw , call today a family of gold finches visited the garden , around 6 of them and last years blue tits look like they are going to nest in the box i made for them last year .
Also , last week i heard a curlew , high pitched squeak , looked up and there it was flying overhead , long pointy thin beak , not seen one for a few years !
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In reply to Post #80
No Kites round my way unfortunately. Big increase in Buzzards, Sparrowhawk but a decline in Kestrel.
Nuthatch coming and going all the time, cracking little bird but can't work out if there's one, it's a pair or there are loads
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In reply to Post #78
It's great to see the kites, I haven't seen any over my way yet. It seems whenever I leave the long lens at home I'll see loads of them when I'm fishing, I haven't seen any close enough for a pic when I do have it
There are woodpeckers in the park behind me, elusive little feckers
One of the peregrines has been hanging about in the pylon for the last week, too dark in the mornings to try for a pic tho
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In reply to Post #78
We have a black Pug, it has an affliction to black birds, goes nuts when they come in the garden. I keep telling it to get back in the house cause if the cat sees it, it will have it
Amazing to see the kites, like a 6 foot pair of wings with a bird attached! We have a few buzzards round our way now, nice to see if I’m honest, I saw 3 of them one day close up going nuts in a bush, think there must have been a rabbit or something?
I watched a program a while ago and it was saying that they were taking cats in one area 
They would struggle getting our Pug off the ground mate
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In reply to Post #77
I know what you are saying about cats, ours died about 3 years ago it was well old and knackered. Just before it died we had robins build a nest in our greenhouse after the door was left open, the wife and I sat and watched on and off for ages as they constantly kept coming back with insects for the chicks, I am sure it was our old cat that got them as they fledged, sodding thing. Swore blind we would never have another one (got a springer spaniel now) who doesnt mind the birds at all, exept for pigeons for some reason, hates them although isnt quick enough to catch one, bloody funny watching her try though.
Dont know where you are but we get red kites over our house every day, amazing sight and even though they have been around a while I still love seeing them, I have heard of folk leaving food out and they will come down for it, I am quite happy watching them overhead though.
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In reply to Post #76
Nice one
Get a nice variety in myself but not had a woodpecker for a long time. Always have some feeders out,,nice to see them in the garden, just the neighbours bloody cats that are a pain in the arse, not to mention ****ting I’m my garden, read something a while ago, can’t remember the stats but they kill an awful lot of birds every year
Shame it’s not Canada geese, tuffties and coots
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In reply to Post #75
I will be doing it, find it really enjoyable watching what appears in my garden, doubt my kids will join me so sod em
Had my first spotted woodpecker on the peanut feeder a while ago, I was well happy, it wouldnt hang around for a pic though.
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Who's doing the big bird watch this weekend?
Might try and talk my youngest into it.
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Not bird watch but winter watch is back on, love it
Anybody watching, Packham, WTF has he got on, looks like he’s walked straight out of a 90s rave, quick, check him for a vicks inhaler
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In reply to Post #72
Said there were loads up near Oban, on about going up there early next year pending lockdown, hopefully see a few
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In reply to Post #71
Those White tailed eagles from the breeding program on the Isle of Wight are something else! Must be impressive to see
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Not so much Birdwatch but Autumn watch is back. Love it
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In reply to Post #69
Not sure mate, believe they come from the alps???, 100s of birdwatchers all over the roads with their spotting scopes and binoculars. Certainly drawn a lot of interest though. Was around this area most of the day it was there just circling
I wonder if they take sheep though because there are thousands all over the moors 
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In reply to Post #68
Nice one
Wonder why it's staying around?
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In reply to Post #67
Just seen it mate, on my way to the peak district, it's over ladybower reservior. Birdies everywhere!
Buzzard near it, looks like a sparrow lol
Like a pair of wings with a body, massive
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A Bearded Vulture roosting in the Peak District National Park Derbyshire apparently! 10ft wingspan, bigger than a Golden Eagle, must be an impressive sight
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Well, finally here, swallows this morning, brilliant
In numbers too
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Just been chucking my spinner out for trout in my local brook /river , seen loads of birds , yellow and white wagtails , dippers and a kingfisher landed within 10 foot before it spotted me an shot off ! also looks like the trout stock are rising as i caught quite a lot !
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In reply to Post #63
They are impressive but that call isn't something you want to wake up too
Bit more hopeful now, mummy and daddy peregrine were eating a nice parakeet breakfast in the pylon when mummy flew off in answer to a distant call.
Edit, at least 4 in the group, possibly 5
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In reply to Post #62
Didn't realise that sort of thing was still rife
Must be an impressive sight
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In reply to Post #61
A lot of eggs have been pinched too elsewhere in the country. Its normally around this time of year I start seeing them with chicks diving off a pylon
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In reply to Post #60
Doesn't look great. There's been licences given to remove a small number of Peregrine chicks for Falconry, maybe that's the reason but unlikely 
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I was watching the adult pair of peregrines this morning with no young ones present, is this a bad sign? In previous years I haven't seen both until they have the chicks with them
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| | | mal | | Posts: 8910 |  | |
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I was out yesterday for a quiet day session feeder fishing for anything.
Loads of little swallows / swifts - not sure which - were swooping down and taking flies off the water. They were ace and definitely more successful than I was all afternoon!
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In reply to Post #56
I've seen a couple of groups of Swallow's last few days. Don't know if they've arrived too late to breed though. I believe they come all the way up from South Africa so not surprised they get delayed sometimes!
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Last Springwatch
I have spent quite a lot of time watching grebes over the years. Anybody see the discussions about their eggs being able to cope with water? Fascinating really
Brilliant programme with some stunning photography
Lolo Williams like already mentioned, brilliant. Hope he gets the leading role
I like Gordon B too
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In reply to Post #50
Cats have a massive impact, there’s a few near me, not to mention ****ting in the garden 
Lot of fledglings around me, big family of thrushes, absolutely hammering the snails in garden!
Collard doves, Goldfinches, blackbirds, blue tits and even the sparrows are making a comeback and have all fledged. Saying that, I do get the odd sparrow hawk, bang, cloud of feathers, gone 
No sign of any swallows though around me as yet, guess it’s not going to happen?
I put some new feeders up this year, they have hammered the seed up to late
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In reply to Post #54
Ive got a few feeders dotted about the garden, niger seed feeders are great for the Gold Finches as the squirrels leave them alone, ive got standard seed feeders and suet ball feeders as well they occasionally get pestered by all sorts, Starlings, green Parakeets and clever pidgeons even and squirrels but i'm not too bothered, they all have to survive as long as they all get their share its a pleasure to watch the wildlife, theyre all kept well away from the bird house
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In reply to Post #53
If you like the small bird's try a couple of small feeder's attached to a spindly branch that can just about hold the weight
It's incredible the change in bird numbers and species in the last couple of decades.
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In reply to Post #52
yeah true, it would make it easier for predators i guess, whenever I used to watch the Tits coming and going they always used it before hopping through the hole, I have placed the box on its own and not near any high bushes apart from a small lilac tree that they also used a lot to hop onto before they would go in the box but I made sure I never put any feeders near it, like I say its pristine and clean now so hopefully next year, got to do all we can for the little birds, i do get a lot of Gold finches feeding as well, love them
Its funny but when I was a kid in East London, Sparrows were almost as common as pidgeons back then, i'm talking fifty years ago, nowadays even little Sparrows are quite rare, in the suburbs at least, but all little birds had a bad time of it through the advent of pesticides being used more and more in farming, thankfully some have recovered in recent years with a lot more knowledge now
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In reply to Post #51
See what you mean
Wouldn't put a standing peg on the outside, other unwanted bird's can use it for predation mate.
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In reply to Post #50
No,the few eggs ive found in there over the years have been the odd one or two that just haven't hatched, I think the problem was like I said the box had gotten tatty and it was crammed full of nesting material, I fitted a small perch at the entrance hole and another one inside through the middle of the box to make it easier for them to hop in and out, probably not necessary when I see films of them on programmes like Springwatch they never have anything like that but it never seemed to do any harm, I still see Blue Tits about in the garden, I have an old gnarly apple tree that they seem to like, I think there are lots of bugs on it and they go for the fresh buds as well, lots of gardens near me and ive seen them coming and going bringing meal worm probably from a neighbours garden, I put feeders out with it in, a long way away from the nest as they say you shouldn't site a bird box too near a food source or they wont use it, anyway the Starlings muller it in no time, the meal worm that is
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In reply to Post #47
Sounds like there's not enough food around after the bird's have laid eggs and are abandoning the nest mate.
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In reply to Post #48
I think that's why they lay so many eggs, up to ten because the survival rate is low, cats are a big problem in urban areas for fledging birds as they often cant fly straight away and drop to the ground, in all the years I had them nesting ive never seen them fledge , would love to see that, ive often seen both parents coming and going with food and been close to the box and heard them squeaking, probably thinking I was an arriving parent with food!
I was thinking of putting a camera in there but decided not to bother and leave them to it
Great to hear you had them nesting this year Spanker
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The blue tit's have fledged the "lockdown box " i built for them , they just have to avoid being eaten by the numerous cat's that hunt in my garden , is this what catapults were made for ?
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In reply to Post #46
Ive got to say I was a bit sad to see that one of the Blue Tits succumbed, only two fledged. I built a bird house a good few years ago now and actually managed to get Blue Tits nesting there for a few years running, ive opened it up a couple of times over the years and found unhatched eggs in there occasionally, anyway this year it was looking a bit tatty and its the second year I haven't seen the Tits return, i'm told they usually come back and use the same nest often, so I opened it up and there was so much nesting material there was barely any space for a bird to fly into, loads of moss but some unnatural material like some form of plastic strands which is a bit sad, I would have thought the Tits would be able to tell the difference, there wasn't a lot of it but mainly moss and some unhatched eggs again, anyway ive given it a complete makeover, new roof etc...fingers crossed I get them back next year
Door mice on Springwatch tonite,, now that's got to be the cutest little creature there is
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In reply to Post #37
Agree Lolo Williams is a natural wildlife presenter, lovely part of the world where he is
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In reply to Post #44
Spotted half a dozen Swallow's skimming fields around Holmes Chapel
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In reply to Post #43
Similar to me mate. I am fortunate that I have quite a bit of nice countryside on my doorstep. I have also seen a bit but when we are in full bloom here and everything is green it takes some serious beating for me, stunning
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In reply to Post #39
Probably one of the only plus sides to this nasty virus going forward is the amount of people who might holiday at home rather than fly abroad and realise what an amazingly beautiful country we live in, ive travelled the world extensively and been to some beautiful countries, lived in NZ for a while which is stunning and very easy to get about with very little traffic, the only downside here is we are over populated so its not much of a pleasure sitting in your car to get from one place to another....worth it when you get there though
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In reply to Post #41
Weirdo 
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In reply to Post #39
You have been out dogging again haven't you
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Saw a barn owl today on my moorland walk what a majestic bird !
and i was eaten by pesky little bastar* midges , happy to see them back in numbers this year !
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In reply to Post #37
There’s not much compares to the British countryside for me when it’s all green as it is now, all the wildlife is active, couple this with fishing a nice lake, takes some beating for me, stunning
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See quite a few bats round my way, that ticking sound they make used to drive me nuts but I'd pay to be able to hear it now
Robins and parakeets are the main birds I hear in the garden, do get some great tits goldfinches sparrows and thrushes too.
Woodpeckers and barn owls can be heard but rarely seen, and peregrines and sparrowhawks are pretty regularly spotted. Not bad considering I'm in London.
Talking on the phone to my Mrs the other day, a sparrowhawk did its thing flying behind the fence and looped over to snatch something at the feeder, scared the sh1t out of her
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In reply to Post #33
I have to say I think Lolo Williams is brilliant and so knowledgeable, that area the Mid Wales Marches looks stunning and worth a visit, it looks a lot less spoilt than parts of north and south Wales, but lets face it they all live in or near stunning scenery. I agree about it appearing to be more relaxed and the part about the Knepps Estate in Sussex was amazing, i'd never even heard of the place, lets hope it doesn't get over run but I think you have to book any visits, its certainly tucked away
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In reply to Post #35
Sat fishing myself now, me and la mutt and not many others near me, and relax, bliss
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"What’s the live version Keebs, did you go fishing?"
24 hours of quiet bliss - surprised it's not more popular to be honest
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In reply to Post #33
Missed it last night, bugger
What’s the live version Keebs, did you go fishing?
I went last night, got to the lake, packed out, had a walk round, came home, far too busy for my liking
I know Packham is like marmite, I can tolerate him. I like the other presenters though
The quality of filming and photography is immense these days in HD. Brings nature right into my living room. Love it.
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In reply to Post #32
Live version yesterday
Brolly absolutely covered in damsels and sedges, even had a dragonfly emerge on there!
Knew I should have taken the macro camera 
Loads of House Martins and Swifts, but no Swallows.
Sparrowhawk, Egyptian Goslings, Jays, Buzzards, Willow Warbler right next to me all day. Loads of good stuff.
I think I prefer the new slower pace of this Springwatch to be honest, feels like there's less pieces but they're longer.
Not hopping all over the place trying to cram loads in.
Packham seems more relaxed with less people around him as well.
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Spring-watch anybody?
Birds galore and some brilliant filming and photography again, superb
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In reply to Post #30
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In reply to Post #28
Think of it this way the Spuds haven't lost a game in months
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In reply to Post #28
James
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Yes I’m back, never been away but a bit lost without the footy.
Regarding the red kites, they were reintroduced a few years back around the A40 area and have really established themselves, fantastic to see some have managed to come further south, about 5 years ago I was working in a place called Princes Risborough and every day there would be a dozen or do gliding over our site, apparently the surrounding households use to feed them
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In reply to Post #26
Amazing birds red kites. Their wing span is so wide. When they fly over you low, quite impressive for me if I’m honest. Just think yourself lucky your not a rabbit, not a chance!
Once fishing and a bittern came from behind and flew about 5 meters above my brolly, absolutely **** myself, thought it was a Pterodactyl
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In reply to Post #23
I've only ever seen a few Kites when I dangled on a few waters on the Shrops/Welsh border. Great bird's to watch raptors. Did see a few mistle thrushes late April, can't recall seeing or hearing a song thrush
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In reply to Post #23
Alright Jim you're still with us then
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| | | mal | | Posts: 8910 | | |
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In reply to Post #23
never mind the birds - it's good to see the return of the large billed JimmyAd to these shores....
hope you are well fella
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Down here in East Sussex, we are seeing Robins a lot more than usual, also sparrows seem to be doing better than previous years, and Buzzards are well established, magnificent birds, I’ve even seen red kites, good to see they’ve spread out down here from Oxford way. 👍....sadly I can’t remember the last time I saw a thrush or heard a cuckoo
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In reply to Post #21
No mate, sadly it is what people have been reporting in, which even more sadly is, I suspect the truth
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In reply to Post #20
Only caught the last half hour on the Knepp project. Did they give a reason for the lack Swallow's mate.
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In reply to Post #19
On again now mate.
Sad times, echos what people are saying about the swallows in this thread, but an increase in Martins?
Nice time of year to get out with a camera mate as well as the rods
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In reply to Post #18
Watched it on catch-up.
Love the leucistic Badger.
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In reply to Post #17
Did a bit on Scotland last night, the filming was absolutely stunning, just like being there, crystal clear, looked amazing
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In reply to Post #15
Bugger - hardly ever watch the telly so didn't know it was on!
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In reply to Post #11
Fascinating creature Keebs. They can manoeuvre.
Use to throw tiny stones into the air, they catch them and drop them
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Anybody watching Springwatch. Absolutely stunning picture in HD!
One of my favourite programs
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I really hope that the tiger mosquito doesn't manage to make it across the channel from France , pesky little bas****s
far worse than the normal mozzy's and they feed all day long !
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In reply to Post #10
Thinking about it I haven't heard a cuckoo this spring either. They come up from the Congo around the same time as Swift's, Swallow's etc that are coming from a similar direction
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In reply to Post #10
We were discussing bats when we had a bbq last weekend and how few there were
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In reply to Post #10
Love watching the bats.
Keep meaning to get one of those detectors to ID them from the calls, I know I have at least two different types by size, but can't see beyond that.
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In reply to Post #9
Sounds like the swallow situation is quite common then sadly?
Interesting about midges. I have bats in my garden too, quite like them, they can catch midges!
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I have always been interested in our birds since being a kid , i live on the outskirts of Bolton close to the moors , last year was a strange one , maybe due to the heatwave , not sure , i was down at the cricket club watching a game , which went late into the evening when i noticed that we were not being eaten by midges , same for the remaining matches , usually you have a swarm around you at that time of year and everyone would be passing round the midge cream , must of had an effect on the birds that depend on them
this year i have not seen one swallow in my neighborhood , as a child the sky would be full of them
House martins , hardly any
Swift's quite a few , nowhere near the amount from years ago .
As i mentioned before , last weekend i saw a peregrine nest with 2 chick's in , last years brood was stolen , probably to order , i also saw a stonechat
When i'm in France i often listen to the golden oriels ,they come to the edge of the forest close to me , the male has an incredible call the absolute opposite of the females screech !
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In reply to Post #5
Love my wildlife
Funny one like you say, I have only seen small amounts of swallows and none around my house and like you say, when I have seen them they seem to be down in numbers, sad really. Now weather it’s climate change or people are shooting them, once read an article in a newspaper and they are fair game for the pot in foreign countries, why is beyond me, but hey ho. Hopefully there may be still time? Saying that it’s out warmest spring for a long time.
Small flock of greenfinch passed through this morning which is nice to see
Sat here this morning, garden is nice and green and the gardens full of wildlife, love this time of year
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In reply to Post #1
Plenty of swallows around Hanley,just got find them and have twenty quid on you
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In reply to Post #5
Mobbing it's called - it's amazing how feisty some of them get.
The fuss alerts all the other birds of the predators presence.
Funnily enough when the cry goes up - none of them yell "Fake news!" 
Watched two Blue Tits chase off a Buzzard before.
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In reply to Post #1
We’ve got a few down here drinking at my pond. Possible slightly down in numbers but not significantly.
However one less now, the hawk caught one as it came in to drink.
Surprising to see a swallow attacking a hawk as it perched on the fence holding it’s kill.
Probably it’s mate or youngster, sad but thats nature I guess.
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All normal round here - saw loads of Swallows this afternoon down the river.
Up to a dozen Swifts over the house most evenings too.
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In reply to Post #2
Good to hear there's Swift's where you are
Always been plenty of Sand Martin's, less house though around my part of Cheshire. Hopefully they've stopped off somewhere.
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In reply to Post #1
Good question, hardly seen any swallows
Loads of swifts on a couple of waters near me, always there, every year, can virtually touch them when they are on the bugs, all over the place. Really nice to see
Last time I say a Martin was in Scotland around 3 years ago now!
Strange one, climate change?
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Where's all the Martins, Swift's and Swallow's? I spotted a few Martin's around Knutsford mid April, 2 Swift's around Daresbury mid May and no Swallow's at all
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NON Carp stuff