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Post by neoisd1 on Jul 4, 2015 12:53:09 GMT
I had a grouse in me back yard the other day. Also have magpies, blue tits, wood pigeon, wood pecker, kestrel, mistle thrush and some other little things that I have no clue on. You must be well out in the countryside Sent from my SM-G850F using proboards I wish, I'm smack bang in the middle of Tunstall
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jul 4, 2015 13:21:17 GMT
I had a Grouse in me back yard the other day. Also have magpies, blue tits, wood pigeon, wood pecker, kestrel, mistle thrush and some other little things that I have no clue on. Pleasant, with ice?
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jul 4, 2015 13:34:43 GMT
Cycled around Gratton the t'other evening in search of the elusive Flycatcher, to no avail. I did happen upon a large almost cream-coloured Buzzard, on a gate post at the side of the road. I stopped, it checked me out, spooked but flew onto a telegraph pole across the road. As it landed it was divebombed by a Kestrel in vivid summer colours. The Kestrel saw it off, did a 'celebratory' hover then fucked off. Mint. Also saw a small flock of Starlings. Been told there are Flycatchers at Deep Hayes. I'll be heading there.
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jul 4, 2015 13:43:31 GMT
Hardly get any bird life in our garden. However I parked up at the Forest Park yesterday and apart from the nesting Coots and Grebes I saw 4 ducks that weren't in my RSPB Book of British Birds. They were white with flashes of black on their heads. Any help appreciated. Was talking to someone the other day who was saying there have been a few Oystercatchers on water in the area. They are more of a wader than a duck, but do have the colouring you describe. They're normally cockle eating shore dwellers. I'd be interested to know.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:06:29 GMT
Cycled around Gratton the t'other evening in search of the elusive Flycatcher, to no avail. I did happen upon a large almost cream-coloured Buzzard, on a gate post at the side of the road. I stopped, it checked me out, spooked but flew onto a telegraph pole across the road. As it landed it was divebombed by a Kestrel in vivid summer colours. The Kestrel saw it off, did a 'celebratory' hover then fucked off. Mint. Also saw a small flock of Starlings. Been told there are Flycatchers at Deep Hayes. I'll be heading there. Is this the one ?
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 4, 2015 21:08:01 GMT
Living in a quiet valley in the Lake District I get more birds in the garden than you can shake a stick at. The commonest which I see all day, every day are:
Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Siskin, Yellowhammer, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Thrush (both types) Wren, Rook, Crow, Raven (seen from garden but not in garden) Robin,
Less common but seen most days are:
Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Tree creeper, Sparrow hawk, Buzzard (overhead), Peregrine (overhead), Redpoll, Linnet, Garden warbler, chiffchaff, Also common overhead are ducks and geese - especially the Greylag Goose and the Canada Goose.
Rarer but seen most years:
Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Osprey (seen on migration in Spring) a few pairs nest in the Lake District - the nearest nest being about 5 miles from me.
Seen once sinceI bought the cottage: A pair of golden Eagles, when we had two nesting in the District, they nested about 10 miles away and they occasionally used to come to our valley. I also once saw a Goshawk - like a very large Sparrow Hawk.
Seen most days walking the dogs or fellwalking: Roe Deer, Red Deer, and occasionally otters in some of the lakes and rivers.
Seen every day in the garden - Red squirrels - sometimes up to 10 at a time at the end of the breeding season. I used to see grey squirrels more often before I bought my air rifle......now I see maybe one a year in the garden. I also have weasels breeding in the garden and stoats nest in a drystone wall about 50 yards away. There is a badger set on the fellside above the cottage and at dusk I can see them with binoculars and they will visit at night if I put out food for them.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:09:50 GMT
This is my favourite which you see quite a lot of in sub Saharan scrub .....Cordon Bleu
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:12:09 GMT
Living in a quiet valley in the Lake District I get more birds in the garden than you can shake a stick at. The commonest which I see all day, every day are: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Siskin, Yellowhammer, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Thrush (both types) Wren, Rook, Crow, Raven (seen from garden but not in garden) Robin, Less common but seen most days are: Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Tree creeper, Sparrow hawk, Buzzard (overhead), Peregrine (overhead), Redpoll, Linnet, Garden warbler, chiffchaff, Also common overhead are ducks and geese - especially the Greylag Goose and the Canada Goose. Rarer but seen most years: Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Osprey (seen on migration in Spring) a few pairs nest in the Lake District - the nearest nest being about 5 miles from me. Seen once sinceI bought the cottage: A pair of golden Eagles, when we had two nesting in the District, they nested about 10 miles away and they occasionally used to come to our valley. I also once saw a Goshawk - like a very large Sparrow Hawk. Seen most days walking the dogs or fellwalking: Roe Deer, Red Deer, and occasionally otters in some of the sakes and rivers. Seen every day in the garden - Red squirrels - sometimes up to 10 at a time at the end of the breeding season. I used to see grey squirrels more often before I bought my air rifle......now I see maybe one a year in the garden. I also have weasels breeding in the garden and stoats nest in a drystone wall about 50 yards away. There is a badger set on the fellside above the cottage and at dusk I can see them with binoculars and they will visit at night if I put out food for them. Any Red Kite yet up your neck of the woods yet Forny ? I though it would be ideal , apart from the threat of being shot by farmers .....
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 4, 2015 21:18:08 GMT
Living in a quiet valley in the Lake District I get more birds in the garden than you can shake a stick at. The commonest which I see all day, every day are: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Siskin, Yellowhammer, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Thrush (both types) Wren, Rook, Crow, Raven (seen from garden but not in garden) Robin, Less common but seen most days are: Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Tree creeper, Sparrow hawk, Buzzard (overhead), Peregrine (overhead), Redpoll, Linnet, Garden warbler, chiffchaff, Also common overhead are ducks and geese - especially the Greylag Goose and the Canada Goose. Rarer but seen most years: Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Osprey (seen on migration in Spring) a few pairs nest in the Lake District - the nearest nest being about 5 miles from me. Seen once sinceI bought the cottage: A pair of golden Eagles, when we had two nesting in the District, they nested about 10 miles away and they occasionally used to come to our valley. I also once saw a Goshawk - like a very large Sparrow Hawk. Seen most days walking the dogs or fellwalking: Roe Deer, Red Deer, and occasionally otters in some of the sakes and rivers. Seen every day in the garden - Red squirrels - sometimes up to 10 at a time at the end of the breeding season. I used to see grey squirrels more often before I bought my air rifle......now I see maybe one a year in the garden. I also have weasels breeding in the garden and stoats nest in a drystone wall about 50 yards away. There is a badger set on the fellside above the cottage and at dusk I can see them with binoculars and they will visit at night if I put out food for them. Any Red Kite yet up your neck of the woods yet Forny ? I though it would be ideal , apart from the threat of being shot by farmers ..... No, none yet in the North Lakes where I live but they have introduced some Red Kites in the South Lakes. These days the farmers and landowners are much more wildlife friendly and it seems to be accepted that wildlife are good for tourism. There are one or two pheasant shoots about but no reports of over zealous game keepers. No grouse shooting in the Lakes these days - we do have both red and black grouse but they are genuinely wild not reared in pens.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:26:06 GMT
Shame about those hen harriers wasn't it. I'd shoot the fucking gamekeepers.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:30:23 GMT
Any Red Kite yet up your neck of the woods yet Forny ? I though it would be ideal , apart from the threat of being shot by farmers ..... No, none yet in the North Lakes where I live but they have introduced some Red Kites in the South Lakes. These days the farmers and landowners are much more wildlife friendly and it seems to be accepted that wildlife are good for tourism. There are one or two pheasant shoots about but no reports of over zealous game keepers. No grouse shooting in the Lakes these days - we do have both red and black grouse but they are genuinely wild not reared in pens. Well that's encouraging news....decades of persecution by game keepers and farmers are slowly coming to an end it would seem . I just can't understand when the turning point came can you ? I accept your point about tourism , but in other areas the same argument does not apply . Why did they stop shooting birds of prey ? The Buzzard is one brilliant example of the turnaround in attitude . They're everywhere now ....scores around here . Not sure if they're in Stoke though !
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:36:44 GMT
No, none yet in the North Lakes where I live but they have introduced some Red Kites in the South Lakes. These days the farmers and landowners are much more wildlife friendly and it seems to be accepted that wildlife are good for tourism. There are one or two pheasant shoots about but no reports of over zealous game keepers. No grouse shooting in the Lakes these days - we do have both red and black grouse but they are genuinely wild not reared in pens. Well that's encouraging news....decades of persecution by game keepers and farmers are slowly coming to an end it would seem . I just can't understand when the turning point came can you ? I accept your point about tourism , but in other areas the same argument does not apply . Why did they stop shooting birds of prey ? The Buzzard is one brilliant example of the turnaround in attitude . They're everywhere now ....scores around here . Not sure if they're in Stoke though ! Plenty of red kites around the farmers field adjacent to our cricket club .....interesting to watch them catching voles and the like by the nearby stream ......in fact it was far more entertaining than this afternoons game !
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:38:10 GMT
Well that's encouraging news....decades of persecution by game keepers and farmers are slowly coming to an end it would seem . I just can't understand when the turning point came can you ? I accept your point about tourism , but in other areas the same argument does not apply . Why did they stop shooting birds of prey ? The Buzzard is one brilliant example of the turnaround in attitude . They're everywhere now ....scores around here . Not sure if they're in Stoke though ! Plenty of red kites around the farmers field adjacent to our cricket club .....interesting to watch them catching voles and the like by the nearby stream ......in fact it was far more entertaining than this afternoons game ! Are you sure ? I think they may be buzzards ....
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:40:50 GMT
Plenty of red kites around the farmers field adjacent to our cricket club .....interesting to watch them catching voles and the like by the nearby stream ......in fact it was far more entertaining than this afternoons game ! Are you sure ? I think they may be buzzards .... Well I'm no expert on the subject of course but I've been told that they are Red Kites ....possibly your are correct ?
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 4, 2015 21:42:06 GMT
No, none yet in the North Lakes where I live but they have introduced some Red Kites in the South Lakes. These days the farmers and landowners are much more wildlife friendly and it seems to be accepted that wildlife are good for tourism. There are one or two pheasant shoots about but no reports of over zealous game keepers. No grouse shooting in the Lakes these days - we do have both red and black grouse but they are genuinely wild not reared in pens. Well that's encouraging news....decades of persecution by game keepers and farmers are slowly coming to an end it would seem . I just can't understand when the turning point came can you ? I accept your point about tourism , but in other areas the same argument does not apply . Why did they stop shooting birds of prey ? The Buzzard is one brilliant example of the turnaround in attitude . They're everywhere now ....scores around here . Not sure if they're in Stoke though ! You have to remember that tourism is the biggest employer and earner in the Lake District by a huge margin. A lot of the farmers are on Environmental schemes where the government grants are dependant on the farmer carrying out environmental work. For example older ash trees are pollarded to extend their life rather than simply being bulldozed. The owner of the small 40 acre farm around my cottage has probably planted 200 metres of hedgerows and planted 100 trees on his farm in the past couple of years. A lot of small areas which would have been drained or had dykes built to stop flooding in years gone by, now HAVE to be allowed to flood to alleviate more serious flooding down river. The benefit to him (apart from the grants)is that his holiday cottages are full of people who appreciate the wild life.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:44:34 GMT
Are you sure ? I think they may be buzzards .... Well I'm no expert on the subject of course but I've been told that they are Red Kites ....possibly your are correct ? Forny is only up the road from you and he reckons there are none up the Lakes which is why I thought you maybe witnessing buzzards ....? Obviously if they're twitchers who are telling you , then they must be ....
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 4, 2015 21:51:03 GMT
Well I'm no expert on the subject of course but I've been told that they are Red Kites ....possibly your are correct ? Forny is only up the road from you and he reckons there are none up the Lakes which is why I thought you maybe witnessing buzzards ....? Obviously if they're twitchers who are telling you , then they must be .... Mumf read what I said. There are some in the South Lakes but not the north. Whether they ever get down to Blackpool, I have no idea.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:52:41 GMT
Here's possibly the rarest bird I've had in the garden ...The redpoll. They come in every March with the Goldcrests and goldfinches and feed with them . ..
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:55:00 GMT
Well I'm no expert on the subject of course but I've been told that they are Red Kites ....possibly your are correct ? Forny is only up the road from you and he reckons there are none up the Lakes which is why I thought you maybe witnessing buzzards ....? Obviously if they're twitchers who are telling you , then they must be .... Well whatever kind they are , it's enjoyable to watch them .
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 4, 2015 21:57:23 GMT
Here's possibly the rarest bird I've had in the garden ...The redpoll. They come in every March with the Goldcrests and goldfinches and feed with them . .. Dead common up here - yawn!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 21:59:29 GMT
Forny is only up the road from you and he reckons there are none up the Lakes which is why I thought you maybe witnessing buzzards ....? Obviously if they're twitchers who are telling you , then they must be .... Well whatever kind they are , it's enjoyable to watch them . On reflection , I think they may be ...Forny has put me straight . I think the countryside to the east of you lends itself to big birds of prey , which is why I think Tessie O'Shea settled there , along with Les Dawsons mrs....
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 22:02:04 GMT
Here's possibly the rarest bird I've had in the garden ...The redpoll. They come in every March with the Goldcrests and goldfinches and feed with them . .. Dead common up here - yawn! Now that does surprise me , but I'm no expert . I though they wouldn't like it up there ...I thought they'd prefer the small lowland habitats ...garden etc. Just my naive impressions like ...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 22:07:02 GMT
Forny is only up the road from you and he reckons there are none up the Lakes which is why I thought you maybe witnessing buzzards ....? Obviously if they're twitchers who are telling you , then they must be .... Mumf read what I said. There are some in the South Lakes but not the north. Whether they ever get down to Blackpool, I have no idea. All the rough birds flock to blackpool
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 4, 2015 22:11:00 GMT
Dead common up here - yawn! Now that does surprise me , but I'm no expert . I though they wouldn't like it up there ...I thought they'd prefer the small lowland habitats ...garden etc. Just my naive impressions like ... The valley I live in is about 4 miles long and half a mile wide and is flat bottomed (being glacial) and surrounded by mountains - so it is a pretty sheltered habitat with scattered woods and maybe 50 houses all of which have gardens. Ideal habitat, I would have said. Apart from a few bad winter nights, I'm sure there are more cold nights in Stoke or Merseyside than where I live. However, go half a mile UP THE FELLSIDE from my cottage (above the valley intake wall) and the weather is arctic in winter and much cooler in summer - so much so that there are ring ouzels and no blackbirds. But the ring ouzels never descend as low as my garden and the blackbirds never go very far above it. Simples!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2015 22:26:45 GMT
Mumf read what I said. There are some in the South Lakes but not the north. Whether they ever get down to Blackpool, I have no idea. All the rough birds flock to blackpool Don't they just ?
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Post by JoeinOz on Jul 5, 2015 5:09:38 GMT
Got some rainbow lorikeets in our garden. Wankers.
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Post by bathstoke on Jul 5, 2015 7:07:32 GMT
Living in a quiet valley in the Lake District I get more birds in the garden than you can shake a stick at. The commonest which I see all day, every day are: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Siskin, Yellowhammer, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Thrush (both types) Wren, Rook, Crow, Raven (seen from garden but not in garden) Robin, Less common but seen most days are: Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Tree creeper, Sparrow hawk, Buzzard (overhead), Peregrine (overhead), Redpo ll, Linnet, Garden warbler, chiffchaff, Also common overhead are ducks and geese - especially the Greylag Goose and the Canada Goose. Rarer but seen most years: Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Osprey (seen on migration in Spring) a few pairs nest in the Lake District - the nearest nest being about 5 miles from me. Seen once sinceI bought the cottage: A pair of golden Eagles, when we had two nesting in the District, they nested about 10 miles away and they occasionally used to come to our valley. I also once saw a Goshawk - like a very large Sparrow Hawk. Seen most days walking the dogs or fellwalking: Roe Deer, Red Deer, and occasionally otters in some of the lakes and rivers. Seen every day in the garden - Red squirrels - sometimes up to 10 at a time at the end of the breeding season. I used to see grey squirrels more often before I bought my air rifle......now I see maybe one a year in the garden. I also have weasels breeding in the garden and stoats nest in a drystone wall about 50 yards away. There is a badger set on the fellside above the cottage and at dusk I can see them with binoculars and they will visit at night if I put out food for them. Where's your anorak, where's your anorak. Where's your anorak, where's your anorak. Ooowe Lakeland is a spotter...
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jul 5, 2015 11:25:15 GMT
Cycled around Gratton the t'other evening in search of the elusive Flycatcher, to no avail. I did happen upon a large almost cream-coloured Buzzard, on a gate post at the side of the road. I stopped, it checked me out, spooked but flew onto a telegraph pole across the road. As it landed it was divebombed by a Kestrel in vivid summer colours. The Kestrel saw it off, did a 'celebratory' hover then fucked off. Mint. Also saw a small flock of Starlings. Been told there are Flycatchers at Deep Hayes. I'll be heading there. Is this the one ? Yep that's the one. Off out later today on the bike for another reccy, I've spotted the likely location/suitable habitat, but not the brid. {And to find the source of the Trent while I'm at it..}
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jul 5, 2015 11:44:58 GMT
[quote author=" Lakeland Potter" However, go half a mile UP THE FELLSIDE from my cottage (above the valley intake wall) and the weather is arctic in winter and much cooler in summer - so much so that there are ring ouzels and no blackbirds. But the ring ouzels never descend as low as my garden and the blackbirds never go very far above it. Simples! [/quote] I'd like to see an Ouzel. There's a female blackbird with a bit of a whitish bib that visits me mum's garden. But it ain't. Any Dippers? One of me favourites.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 5, 2015 12:22:47 GMT
[quote author=" Lakeland Potter" However, go half a mile UP THE FELLSIDE from my cottage (above the valley intake wall) and the weather is arctic in winter and much cooler in summer - so much so that there are ring ouzels and no blackbirds. But the ring ouzels never descend as low as my garden and the blackbirds never go very far above it. Simples! I'd like to see an Ouzel. There's a female blackbird with a bit of a whitish bib that visits me mum's garden. But it ain't. Any Dippers? One of me favourites. [/quote] Yes, whenever I walk the dogs by a river or lake up here, I ALWAYS see dippers. My local river (St Johns Beck about 400 yards away) has a pair covering each 400 yard stretch of territory. Like you they are one of my favourites - I love the way they fly level just a few inches from the water surface.
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