What have you seen
4845 replies
Wherenext replied on 18/12/2016 13:54
Posted on 18/12/2016 13:54
Walked around the lanes today. Many Redwing with a few Fieldfare and a bonus with 2 Bramblings which I haven't seen around our village for over 10 years. Also saw a Buzzard on the ground in the middle of a field eating its breakfast. Looked like rabbit pie.
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Bluemalaga replied on 18/12/2016 13:57
Posted on 17/12/2016 10:36 by OneputtPhoto attached
Posted on 18/12/2016 13:57
Hi OP
Does Minsmere have a massive flock of starlings like I witnessed this morning on the Somerset levels at Ham Wall. There must have been hundreds and hundreds of thousands all taking off at the same time. It appears that due to the level of mist, they seemed somewhat unsure and returned to the reeds a couple of times giving three spectacular flights. The fly past was not as long in time as the evening murmurations, but extremely loud and very impressive. The process began with very loud chirping for 10 minutes or so and groups flying low above the reeds. Then large numbers flocked in to the same area until the reeds became black with birds. Followed by a split second of silence, then the hum of thousands of wings beating at once as the birds flew up again. Marvelous sight, but the mist restricted the view somewhat.
The Warden suggested this would continue for a couple of months with luck, so if anyone is interested, it is worth getting up early for.
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Oneputt replied on 18/12/2016 17:33
Posted on 18/12/2016 17:33
No most of the starlings at Minsmere and other East coast site will eventually make there way to Somerset and join the thousands already there. We have about 25 that hang around our garden area and apart for a short period where others join them they tend to stay all year.
I'm pretty sure that Somerset have the largest flocks in the UK during the winter
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Bluemalaga replied on 18/12/2016 17:57
Posted on 18/12/2016 17:33 by OneputtNo most of the starlings at Minsmere and other East coast site will eventually make there way to Somerset and join the thousands already there. We have about 25 that hang around our garden area and apart for a short period where others join them they tend to stay all year.
I'm pretty sure that Somerset have the largest flocks in the UK during the winter
Posted on 18/12/2016 17:57
Thanks for the info. Last winter there were quotes of 750,000, incredible that they perform this on a daily basis. Our garden flock consists of 5 and they also perform in the evening, flying out of their large conifer for a few laps then roost for the night.
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Whittakerr replied on 19/12/2016 16:10
Posted on 19/12/2016 16:10
On my lunch time walk on Salford Quays today I saw a kingfisher. At first I saw a small bright blue bird flying just above the water and wasn’t sure what it was, (I’m no expert on birds) then watched it perch on a low overhanging branch and couldn’t mistake it. It stayed there for a minute or so until I got closer when it flew off.
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mickysf replied on 19/12/2016 20:10
mickysf replied on 19/12/2016 20:10
mickysf replied on 19/12/2016 20:10
Impy replied on 19/12/2016 20:53
dougscriv replied on 20/12/2016 19:19
Posted on 19/12/2016 20:10 by mickysfWhoopee, or should that be hoopoe? Perched on a fence near our apartment. Try as I may I couldn't catch it with its crest up. Fabulous sight in flight to!
Posted on 20/12/2016 19:19
I wonder if this is the same Hoopoe I saw at Flamborough head earlier this year? I couldn't get near enough to take a photo,a crowd of twitchers seemed to think they had exclusive rights to it, it was actually in the back garden of a bungalow so they would have had a good view from the kitchen window
Oneputt
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