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Post by felonious on Mar 22, 2019 19:15:17 GMT
I was heading back towards Cellarhead this afternoon from the direction of Cheadle and spotted a flock of Emus/ Ostriches/ Rheas? Does anyone know if there's a farm in that vicinity by the Consall turning.
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 23, 2019 21:24:06 GMT
I was heading back towards Cellarhead this afternoon from the direction of Cheadle and spotted a flock of Emus/ Ostriches/ Rheas? Does anyone know if there's a farm in that vicinity by the Consall turning. I know of one towards Wetley Rocks. They're Rheas. A mate has had a couple of eggs to attempt to hatch, though I fear I may end up with them. My mate reckons it's the male Rhea that sits the eggs. And incidentally he's bought a couple of nanny kids off him too.
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Post by Northy on Mar 25, 2019 18:23:16 GMT
I drove through Astbury village earlier this week. The view of from the church of the daffodils on the green is fantastic. I don't know who's in charge but take a bow because at Christmas the lights on the tree in the middle of said green were outstanding Always a great site to see.
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 25, 2019 19:40:50 GMT
Apparently a male Wren builds up to eight nests for his mate to choose from. In most other species it's usually the bride bird that takes the lead in the construction. He'll often have more than one female/family on the go during the breeding season. Got a wren or two about the garden, fiery little fuckers who often sonically ack ack the cat.
Plenty of owl action recently.
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Post by murphthesurf on Mar 26, 2019 19:06:35 GMT
I'd guess it's probably this coming weekend that the hour changes, is it? Always a joyous event!
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Post by murphthesurf on Mar 26, 2019 19:10:26 GMT
I was heading back towards Cellarhead this afternoon from the direction of Cheadle and spotted a flock of Emus/ Ostriches/ Rheas? Does anyone know if there's a farm in that vicinity by the Consall turning. If I'd said that, Fel, you'd have told me to start taking more tonic water with it.........
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Post by felonious on Mar 26, 2019 19:12:34 GMT
I was heading back towards Cellarhead this afternoon from the direction of Cheadle and spotted a flock of Emus/ Ostriches/ Rheas? Does anyone know if there's a farm in that vicinity by the Consall turning. If I'd said that, Fel, you'd have told me to start taking more tonic water with it......... Don't worry Cheesy knows his stuff..... I've been corroborated.
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Post by murphthesurf on Mar 26, 2019 20:49:47 GMT
If I'd said that, Fel, you'd have told me to start taking more tonic water with it......... Don't worry Cheesy knows his stuff..... I've been corroborated.Ah! So the rumours are true……… I can't tell you how impressed I am that you still do all the elite running! xxx
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 28, 2019 21:09:14 GMT
A pair of crows, both with white wing stripes nesting up The Mount. Interesting to see how their offspring turn out.
A huge 'pack' of Jackdaws were circling high overhead earlier. Can't recall ever seeing such a flock. A cackling chorus and dip of the wings and they'd gone to dots, westerly. To Cheshire, they don't seem to bother much about county lines, nor borders.
Frog count {Pond 1`} = 1 {Pond 2} = 0.. though there is some frogspwn now, rescued from an old washing up bowl in a mate's yard {allegedly}. Nae newts spotted yet, but I believe they breed later, let the frogs and toads get on with it fost.
Just entering phase two of the mushroom growing experiment. Golden Oysters and Shitake.
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Post by murphthesurf on Mar 28, 2019 21:17:48 GMT
Evenin' Cheesy, I thought of you today when the BBC news was on - did you see it? It featured water voles & the fact that they're endangered + a big new wildlife place (yaaaaaay) and huge pool that's been created - it looked fantastic & I was so happy for the wildlife who will hopefully benefit from it. Perhaps you could get it on catch-up TV?
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Post by murphthesurf on Mar 28, 2019 21:30:04 GMT
A pair of crows, both with white wing stripes nesting up The Mount. Interesting to see how their offspring turn out. A huge 'pack' of Jackdaws were circling high overhead earlier. Can't recall ever seeing such a flock. A cackling chorus and dip of the wings and they'd gone to dots, westerly. To Cheshire, they don't seem to bother much about county lines, nor borders. Frog count {Pond 1`} = 1 {Pond 2} = 0.. though there is some frogspwn now, rescued from an old washing up bowl in a mate's yard {allegedly}. Nae newts spotted yet, but I believe they breed later, let the frogs and toads get on with it fost. At times we get visited by at least 20 jackdaws at a time - virtually always in winter, when I keep a couple of 20" plastic heavy-duty plant saucers filled with broken-up fatballs on the top of 2 very tall garden urns. We don't really see the jackdaws otherwise. Isn't it incredible how observant birds are - permanently flying round for miles on the search for food. Amazing.
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 28, 2019 21:51:42 GMT
Evenin' Cheesy, I thought of you today when the BBC news was on - did you see it? It featured water voles & the fact that they're endangered + a big new wildlife place (yaaaaaay) and huge pool that's been created - it looked fantastic & I was so happy for the wildlife who will hopefully benefit from it. Perhaps you could get it on catch-up TV? How do Murph. I don't do BBC/TV so I'll miss out on that. I'm 'blessed' with Water Shrews, not the vole. A different beast altogether... Britain's only venomouis rodent etc.. like a pocket otter. Though I live near the canal and hold out hope we may see a few voles my way again. A friend said it was a thing as kids, air rifle target practice thinking they were rats. Right near my house. Gits. I have loads of jackdaws about, there's a jackdawerery{!} each year nearby. Can't say I've noticed whether they migrate for winter, I think there are a few who stay around. The flock I spotted was in the hundreds, huge and high up, but not big enough, and the call different to other crows. The mythology of Odin's two Ravens being his spies, scanning the land for news/gossip is great imagery, and true{ish}. Cheers for the Grape Tree tip, I've gone in big this week {15% discount}, a free delivery order. Think the cashews will last a year!
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Post by murphthesurf on Mar 28, 2019 22:03:16 GMT
Evenin' Cheesy, I thought of you today when the BBC news was on - did you see it? It featured water voles & the fact that they're endangered + a big new wildlife place (yaaaaaay) and huge pool that's been created - it looked fantastic & I was so happy for the wildlife who will hopefully benefit from it. Perhaps you could get it on catch-up TV? How do Murph. I don't do BBC/TV so I'll miss out on that. I'm 'blessed' with Water Shrews, not the vole. A different beast altogether... Britain's only venomouis rodent etc.. like a pocket otter. Though I live near the canal and hold out hope we may see a few voles my way again. A friend said it was a thing as kids, air rifle target practice thinking they were rats. Right near my house. Gits. I have loads of jackdaws about, there's a jackdawerery{!} each year nearby. Can't say I've noticed whether they migrate for winter, I think there are a few who stay around. The flock I spotted was in the hundreds, huge and high up, but not big enough, and the call different to other crows. The mythology of Odin's two Ravens being his spies, scanning the land for news/gossip is great imagery, and true{ish}.Cheers for the Grape Tree tip, I've gone in big this week {15% discount}, a free delivery order. Think the cashews will last a year! WONDERFUL! I'm spoiled for choice as to which bits are my faves - love the Odin bit and am thrilled you like the Grape Tree stuff! xxx
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Post by murphthesurf on Mar 29, 2019 10:53:17 GMT
Evenin' Cheesy, I thought of you today when the BBC news was on - did you see it? How do Murph. The mythology of Odin's two Ravens being his spies, scanning the land for news/gossip is great imagery, and true{ish}. Ravens and Norse Mythology Inspired by Cheesy's great quote, this morning's get-together will feature the above as I've just found these interesting (copy/paste) snippets - which I've listed in the first half - which I hadn't heard before and thought our regular team of Fluffy contributors might like. We'll break for coffee halfway through, so, if you're all sitting comfortably: Actual involvement - Norse people and ravens 'It’s no coincidence that Huginn and Muninn, a pair of almighty ravens, were hatched from Norse culture. Not only are ravens powerful and common symbols in Norse folklore, they played an important role in the everyday life of Norse people, too.
Perhaps the first link between Norse people and ravens was their eating habits. Early Norse people were hunters and gatherers, while ravens were carrion feeders. A clever raven might trail a hunter for a day, and when he made a kill, invite himself to the feast. Likewise, a hungry hunter might notice a raven circling in the sky and follow it to a ready meal. In this way, a primitive bond may have formed between Norse people and ravens.
As time went by and Norse civilization advanced, people began embarking on the famous sea voyages that would win Norse culture a glorious place in history—and they took their allies, the ravens, with them. Just as ravens once guided the Norse people to food, they were now relied upon to guide their boats to land. The mighty birds were carried in cages on Viking ships. At regular intervals, they were taken from their cages and tossed into the sea breeze to scout out the boat’s surroundings. If the bird found land, it would head that way instead of returning to the ship. If it didn’t find land, it would return to the ship.
Because they played such an important role in the everyday lives of Norse people, ravens began to be revered by the people.'
Isn't that amazing about the seafaring stuff! Coffee break now - please be back in 15 minutes. And now the Mythology: Huginn and Muninn 'Huginn and Muninn are a pair of ravens who, in Norse mythology, are enlisted in Odin’s service. The birds depart every morning at dawn to fly around the Norse world, Midgard. At dinner, they return to their perches on Odin’s shoulders and tell him what they have seen.
Physically speaking, Huginn and Muninn don’t have much to set them apart from your garden variety raven. They are large, ominous looking birds with inky black feathers and big, sharp beaks. Their powerful wings can lift them high into the sky, while their beady eyes allow them to make out the landscape below in vivid detail.
Although Huginn and Muninn might look like common ravens, they have been endowed by Odin with wonderful powers. First, the birds are able to fly the entire world of Midgard in a single day. Second, they have the ability to understand, and even speak in, the language of men. Third, they have extremely shrewd minds and wonderful powers of observation. The ravens are no mere spies for Odin; they are important advisors and confidants too.
Huginn and Muninn can also accompany Odin into battle, where they inform him of his enemy’s movements and help him guide and heal his horse.'And that concludes it for this morning, folks. Please put your chairs back tidily - and don't leave any of your backpacks unattended because the Six Towns Bomb Squad guys (AKA 'The Finest in the Land') are getting "right fed up" of dismantling packets of cheese sarnies. mythology.net/norse/norse-creatures/huginn-and-muninn/
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 29, 2019 11:46:07 GMT
How do Murph. The mythology of Odin's two Ravens being his spies, scanning the land for news/gossip is great imagery, and true{ish}. Ravens and Norse Mythology Inspired by Cheesy's great quote, this morning's get-together will feature the above as I've just found these interesting (copy/paste) snippets - which I've listed in the first half - which I hadn't heard before and thought our regular team of Fluffy contributors might like. We'll break for coffee halfway through, so, if you're all sitting comfortably: Actual involvement - Norse people and ravens 'It’s no coincidence that Huginn and Muninn, a pair of almighty ravens, were hatched from Norse culture. Not only are ravens powerful and common symbols in Norse folklore, they played an important role in the everyday life of Norse people, too.
Perhaps the first link between Norse people and ravens was their eating habits. Early Norse people were hunters and gatherers, while ravens were carrion feeders. A clever raven might trail a hunter for a day, and when he made a kill, invite himself to the feast. Likewise, a hungry hunter might notice a raven circling in the sky and follow it to a ready meal. In this way, a primitive bond may have formed between Norse people and ravens.
As time went by and Norse civilization advanced, people began embarking on the famous sea voyages that would win Norse culture a glorious place in history—and they took their allies, the ravens, with them. Just as ravens once guided the Norse people to food, they were now relied upon to guide their boats to land. The mighty birds were carried in cages on Viking ships. At regular intervals, they were taken from their cages and tossed into the sea breeze to scout out the boat’s surroundings. If the bird found land, it would head that way instead of returning to the ship. If it didn’t find land, it would return to the ship.
Because they played such an important role in the everyday lives of Norse people, ravens began to be revered by the people.'
Isn't that amazing about the seafaring stuff! Coffee break now - please be back in 15 minutes. And now the Mythology: Huginn and Muninn 'Huginn and Muninn are a pair of ravens who, in Norse mythology, are enlisted in Odin’s service. The birds depart every morning at dawn to fly around the Norse world, Midgard. At dinner, they return to their perches on Odin’s shoulders and tell him what they have seen.
Physically speaking, Huginn and Muninn don’t have much to set them apart from your garden variety raven. They are large, ominous looking birds with inky black feathers and big, sharp beaks. Their powerful wings can lift them high into the sky, while their beady eyes allow them to make out the landscape below in vivid detail.
Although Huginn and Muninn might look like common ravens, they have been endowed by Odin with wonderful powers. First, the birds are able to fly the entire world of Midgard in a single day. Second, they have the ability to understand, and even speak in, the language of men. Third, they have extremely shrewd minds and wonderful powers of observation. The ravens are no mere spies for Odin; they are important advisors and confidants too.
Huginn and Muninn can also accompany Odin into battle, where they inform him of his enemy’s movements and help him guide and heal his horse.'And that concludes it for this morning, folks. Please put your chairs back tidily - and don't leave any of your backpacks unattended because the Six Towns Bomb Squad guys (AKA 'The Finest in the Land') are getting "right fed up" of dismantling packets of cheese sarnies. Brilliant. This is where the ship's crows' nest may originate from. I've read interesting stuff about Cormorants being used in similar ways by ancient mariners. There is a {part} myth about so-called Venus pools in the Channel Islands and St. Michael's Mount, Mont St. Michel. These rock pools fill at high tide trapping fish in them, deeper than usual rock pools Cormorants can dive and fish in them. The mariners released the Cormorants who'd guide the boats to successive islands with the tide on the France England route. The myth part is that they're not natuaral features but carved out for this very purpose. Sark. I'm not a matelot though.
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Post by felonious on Mar 31, 2019 18:29:27 GMT
I was sitting on the bench in the garden today having a cup of tea when two red legged partridges came wandering past. A real treat I've only clocked them on the field before now.
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Post by Northy on Apr 1, 2019 11:26:10 GMT
Had a run yesterday morning, out along the Trent & mersey canal heading towards preston brook, then back along the river weaver, sucha pleasure to be out there, 4 Cormorants, 2 herons, swans, field of lapwings, buzzards, goldfinches, long tailed tits, reed warblers, coots, moorhens, etc. etc.
The ducks have paired off, saw many pairs, apart from 2 mallards fighting near a female they didnt see me getting close. 1 mallard was guarding a female on the canal bank and as I was getting closer instead of jumping into the canal stood hissing at me, the female had jumped into the canal.
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 1, 2019 12:21:23 GMT
I was sitting on the bench in the garden today having a cup of tea when two red legged partridges came wandering past. A real treat I've only clocked them on the field before now. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...... I was at the top of the garden two or three years ago and a red-legged partridge walked right past me and then flew up on to one of the machine-gun turrets and sat there for ages and I was a bit surprised at his red legs as I'd never seen one before so instantly knew what he was. Then I remembered hearing Miss Marple - (Joan Hickson, and I think it was probably in either 'The Body in the Library' or 'At Bertram's Hotel') - say 'I'm very fond of partridge' - and I remember thinking at the time "what a ratbag".
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 1, 2019 12:25:21 GMT
Had a run yesterday morning, out along the Trent & mersey canal heading towards preston brook, then back along the river weaver, sucha pleasure to be out there, 4 Cormorants, 2 herons, swans, field of lapwings, buzzards, goldfinches, long tailed tits, reed warblers, coots, moorhens, etc. etc. all circling overhead, The ducks have paired off, saw many pairs, apart from 2 mallards fighting near a female they didnt see me getting close. 1 mallard was guarding a female on the canal bank and as I was getting closer instead of jumping into the canal stood hissing at me, the female had jumped into the canal. You're lucky, Northy - when Fel goes for a run all he sees circling overhead are vultures...........
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 1, 2019 13:12:12 GMT
Okay, kiddoes, now you're REALLY gonna LOVE this little treasure of a find……… I was just pratting about on a Wild Bird Food site I've never used before - Kennedy's - and found this gem of a section: For each individual bird you select it gives photos, and often a film, of that bird, and includes habitats and lifestyle, what they like to eat, etc., and all that usual info…… but…… it also inludes a sound recording of their song, which I thought was brilliant. It's a real delight. I was amazed yet again at the striking difference between the markings of males (vivid) and females (drab) - eg. have a look at the robins, chaffinches and pheasants, although also the difference in call between male and female pheasants is amazing - he has a very loud, raucous call and she a tiny faint 'mew': Robins www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/robin/ Chaffinches www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/common-chaffinch/Pheasants www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/pheasant/
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 1, 2019 13:31:26 GMT
Had the pleasure of an overhead Jackdaw mob vs three Buzzards aerial display today. Thermals rising, Buzzards wheeling, Jackdaws swarming, coming in from all quarters to join the cacophonous fray. Buzzards like cats with wings. Mew. Jackdaws sent the Buzzards corkscrewing up and then off. They'll be back. Brilliant. What does a jackdaw sound like? Now we know: www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/jackdaw/
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Post by Northy on Apr 1, 2019 14:12:18 GMT
Had a run yesterday morning, out along the Trent & mersey canal heading towards preston brook, then back along the river weaver, sucha pleasure to be out there, 4 Cormorants, 2 herons, swans, field of lapwings, buzzards, goldfinches, long tailed tits, reed warblers, coots, moorhens, etc. etc. all circling overhead, The ducks have paired off, saw many pairs, apart from 2 mallards fighting near a female they didnt see me getting close. 1 mallard was guarding a female on the canal bank and as I was getting closer instead of jumping into the canal stood hissing at me, the female had jumped into the canal. You're lucky, Northy - when Fel goes for a run all he sees circling overhead are vultures........... I forgot the grebes on the river as well, wasnt hanging around to see if they would do a mating dance #coldwindblowing
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Apr 1, 2019 14:41:52 GMT
Had a run yesterday morning, out along the Trent & mersey canal heading towards preston brook, then back along the river weaver, sucha pleasure to be out there, 4 Cormorants, 2 herons, swans, field of lapwings, buzzards, goldfinches, long tailed tits, reed warblers, coots, moorhens, etc. etc. The ducks have paired off, saw many pairs, apart from 2 mallards fighting near a female they didnt see me getting close. 1 mallard was guarding a female on the canal bank and as I was getting closer instead of jumping into the canal stood hissing at me, the female had jumped into the canal. Sounds great. But watch out for them Drakes... they'll have yer... {The only bird that has a penis...}
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Apr 1, 2019 14:47:56 GMT
Okay, kiddoes, now you're REALLY gonna LOVE this little treasure of a find……… I was just pratting about on a Wild Bird Food site I've never used before - Kennedy's - and found this gem of a section: For each individual bird you select it gives photos, and often a film, of that bird, and includes habitats and lifestyle, what they like to eat, etc., and all that usual info…… but…… it also inludes a sound recording of their song, which I thought was brilliant. It's a real delight. I was amazed yet again at the striking difference between the markings of males (vivid) and females (drab) - eg. have a look at the robins, chaffinches and pheasants, although also the difference in call between male and female pheasants is amazing - he has a very loud, raucous call and she a tiny faint 'mew': Robins www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/robin/ Chaffinches www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/common-chaffinch/Pheasants www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/pheasant/
Great stuff Murph but that Robin section is misleading. Both sexes have a red breast as adults, the picture they show is of a baby, not a female. During brooding the female will lose breast feathers {to aid the incubation}. This may provide a short window where you can differentiate between male and female. I've got a robin who's chest is more copper coloured than red, quite lovely... I'll keep an eye out to see if it ruddies up/changes as the mating season fully kicks in.
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Post by felonious on Apr 3, 2019 6:56:08 GMT
I was driving out of Tittesworth last week just at the then kicking out time of 6:00 (Now 8:00 thankfully) when I slowed down to look at an interesting duck which looked like a Mandarin duck. I got a few glimpses before it disappeared into the undergrowth and I thought no it can't be it must be some other beautifully coloured specimen. Turns out there was a sighting last week. Fabulous looking creature there can't be a more exotic looking bird in the UK ( of the feathered variety)
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Apr 4, 2019 15:37:19 GMT
No doubt a slightly different accent but still relevant to our Corvids. The Ravens I've heard have a deeper frog like croak, and no Jackdaw, but still interesting.
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Post by thequietman on Apr 5, 2019 11:43:23 GMT
Okay, kiddoes, now you're REALLY gonna LOVE this little treasure of a find……… I was just pratting about on a Wild Bird Food site I've never used before - Kennedy's - and found this gem of a section: For each individual bird you select it gives photos, and often a film, of that bird, and includes habitats and lifestyle, what they like to eat, etc., and all that usual info…… but…… it also inludes a sound recording of their song, which I thought was brilliant. It's a real delight. I was amazed yet again at the striking difference between the markings of males (vivid) and females (drab) - eg. have a look at the robins, chaffinches and pheasants, although also the difference in call between male and female pheasants is amazing - he has a very loud, raucous call and she a tiny faint 'mew': Robins www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/robin/ Chaffinches www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/common-chaffinch/Pheasants www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/pheasant/
Conna access it at work so I shall make a mental note to do so at home. And will totally forget as we have the godkids this weekend so all will be a tad chaotic.
Question for agent Murph, or any of you nature whizzes out there. We have a bird in the garden every spring that we hear the song of every morning/evening & then it stops singing around May/June. Never spotted it to identify it. The song is a repeated, persistant use of just two notes. For musos, a higher C and a lower G : C - C - G - C - C -G. Much repeated and very loud/piercing.
Anyone any ideas what it is? The godkids christened it the cheeky bird as it sounds like it's saying "cheeky bird, cheeky bird".
Off-topic, I know, but I had to relate this. Our 6 year old goddaughter decided to treat her mum for mother's day with a foot massage last sunday. So she woke her up at 5.30am to give her the massage. A tad early but a lovely thing to do. Except mummy had only been in bed for two hours as she'd been on a works night out and was therefore feeling very delicate. And her daughter was giving her the foot massage using a dirty dishcloth and Windolene. Bless her!
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 5, 2019 12:51:52 GMT
Okay, kiddoes, now you're REALLY gonna LOVE this little treasure of a find……… I was just pratting about on a Wild Bird Food site I've never used before - Kennedy's - and found this gem of a section: For each individual bird you select it gives photos, and often a film, of that bird, and includes habitats and lifestyle, what they like to eat, etc., and all that usual info…… but…… it also inludes a sound recording of their song, which I thought was brilliant. It's a real delight. I was amazed yet again at the striking difference between the markings of males (vivid) and females (drab) - eg. have a look at the robins, chaffinches and pheasants, although also the difference in call between male and female pheasants is amazing - he has a very loud, raucous call and she a tiny faint 'mew': Robins www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/robin/ Chaffinches www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/common-chaffinch/Pheasants www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/pheasant/
Conna access it at work so I shall make a mental note to do so at home. And will totally forget as we have the godkids this weekend so all will be a tad chaotic. Question for agent Murph, or any of you nature whizzes out there. We have a bird in the garden every spring that we hear the song of every morning/evening & then it stops singing around May/June. Never spotted it to identify it. The song is a repeated, persistant use of just two notes. For musos, a higher C and a lower G : C - C - G - C - C -G. Much repeated and very loud/piercing. Anyone any ideas what it is? The godkids christened it the cheeky bird as it sounds like it's saying "cheeky bird, cheeky bird". Off-topic, I know, but I had to relate this. Our 6 year old goddaughter decided to treat her mum for mother's day with a foot massage last sunday. So she woke her up at 5.30am to give her the massage. A tad early but a lovely thing to do. Except mummy had only been in bed for two hours as she'd been on a works night out and was therefore feeling very delicate. And her daughter was giving her the foot massage using a dirty dishcloth and Windolene. Bless her!
Okay. Birdfood company name will be easy to remember when you get back home - just think of the USA President who was shot. (Bet you look up 'Lincoln' ). Re. Bird call ID - dunno. Sorry. Cuckoo has two notes but you already know what he sounds like + he stays around until July (or August at the very latest). You might stand a better chance of getting an ID from Fel or Cheesy. Or......... the aforementioned Birdfood people have a facility whereby you can email them any birdy questions you have, so you could try them. Re. the goddaughter who wakes her mum up @ 5.30am for a Windolene foot massage with a mucky cloth, this is an easy one: 6 years old is a very popular age with adoption agencies, and you could no doubt off-load her inside a week. I suggested the same thing to my very dear pal Susie 22 years ago when her infant daughter was driving her up the wall and she's never stopped telling me ever since how much she regrets not taking the advice. There you go, sunbeam. Sorted. Apart from the bird-call. "Two out of three isn't bad."
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Apr 5, 2019 16:30:05 GMT
Cor vids
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Apr 5, 2019 16:51:32 GMT
Okay, kiddoes, now you're REALLY gonna LOVE this little treasure of a find……… I was just pratting about on a Wild Bird Food site I've never used before - Kennedy's - and found this gem of a section: For each individual bird you select it gives photos, and often a film, of that bird, and includes habitats and lifestyle, what they like to eat, etc., and all that usual info…… but…… it also inludes a sound recording of their song, which I thought was brilliant. It's a real delight. I was amazed yet again at the striking difference between the markings of males (vivid) and females (drab) - eg. have a look at the robins, chaffinches and pheasants, although also the difference in call between male and female pheasants is amazing - he has a very loud, raucous call and she a tiny faint 'mew': Robins www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/robin/ Chaffinches www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/common-chaffinch/Pheasants www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk/british-birds-a-z/pheasant/
Conna access it at work so I shall make a mental note to do so at home. And will totally forget as we have the godkids this weekend so all will be a tad chaotic. Question for agent Murph, or any of you nature whizzes out there. We have a bird in the garden every spring that we hear the song of every morning/evening & then it stops singing around May/June. Never spotted it to identify it. The song is a repeated, persistant use of just two notes. For musos, a higher C and a lower G : C - C - G - C - C -G. Much repeated and very loud/piercing. Anyone any ideas what it is? The godkids christened it the cheeky bird as it sounds like it's saying "cheeky bird, cheeky bird". Off-topic, I know, but I had to relate this. Our 6 year old goddaughter decided to treat her mum for mother's day with a foot massage last sunday. So she woke her up at 5.30am to give her the massage. A tad early but a lovely thing to do. Except mummy had only been in bed for two hours as she'd been on a works night out and was therefore feeling very delicate. And her daughter was giving her the foot massage using a dirty dishcloth and Windolene. Bless her!
Mmmm... Bird song ID... regional/seasonal variations in song aside I'll offer two options {for now} and get me thinking cap {etc} on. I have no idea re naming of musical notes etc.... The two note thing made me think of the {Garden Warbler} Chiff Chaff, it's call almost onomatopoeiac. Done with gusto in Spring. Or, which would be nice, maybe a Bullfinch, especially if there are plenty of fruit trees about. They don't do a lot of shouting, it can sound a bit 'flutey/wheezy'.. Both elusive birds who don't do the Robin, Blackbird, Thrush, Goldfinch thing of singing from higher/exposed perches, more shy.
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