What have you seen
4834 replies
mickysf replied on 04/04/2023 20:56
Posted on 04/04/2023 20:56
Went for a walk in one of our coastal denes today. Birdsong was fabulous, all the usual suspects, chiffchaffs and a distinct repetitive call I just can’t identify at present. Anyone tried one of those apps which helps identify bird song? Then went out on the coast path away from the trees and bushes, very little to see today. Warm with a good hatch of insects so had hoped to see hirundines and those unrelated ‘native’ swifts but non about yet up here. Shouldn’t be long before the sand martins appear, they are usually the first. No alpine swifts today but I’m told a few are still around.
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Wherenext replied on 05/04/2023 16:05
mickysf replied on 05/04/2023 17:30
Posted on 05/04/2023 16:05 by WherenextMicky, a repetitive note is usually the preserve of the Great Tit or a Chaffinch. The Great Tit has dozens of calls in its repertoire.
Posted on 05/04/2023 17:30
Thanks WN, my first thought is that it was either one of our native woodpeckers or a raptor. When I’ve time I’ll do a bit of research. The sound was very loud and rather deep and resonated around the woodland for some distance. The bird was in the high leafless canopy but I still could not pinpoint it’s locate or spot it despite spending some time and ending up with a crick in my neck! I’ll have a look at those bird song apps, maybe they will help.
Pliers replied on 07/04/2023 13:29
Wherenext replied on 08/04/2023 20:29
mickysf replied on 11/04/2023 19:52
Bakers2 replied on 11/04/2023 21:42
brue replied on 11/04/2023 22:54
mickysf replied on 12/04/2023 10:07
Posted on 11/04/2023 21:42 by Bakers2Saw my first swifts, 4 together, on Friday morning. Lovely sight. Oak before the Ash here too.
Posted on 12/04/2023 10:07
Only the ‘odd’ alpine Swift up here. Yes, they remain for some unusual reason. Hope to see ‘ours’ very soon. A bit concerned mind as an old building they frequented in past years has been demolished over winter. Their breeding sites are reducing although some folk are placing swift boxes on their houses. Unfortunately we can’t!
Bakers2 replied on 12/04/2023 19:06
Posted on 12/04/2023 10:07 by mickysfOnly the βoddβ alpine Swift up here. Yes, they remain for some unusual reason. Hope to see βoursβ very soon. A bit concerned mind as an old building they frequented in past years has been demolished over winter. Their breeding sites are reducing although some folk are placing swift boxes on their houses. Unfortunately we canβt!
Posted on 12/04/2023 19:06
The ones I saw were over an arable field. Having only been here 12 months I don't know of any nests sites for swifts, swallows or house Martins didn't spot any last year. I don't know the difference between types of swifts!
I want to see if the red kite nest is occupied again this year. Again I don't know if they return to them. I'm beginning to get used to them as several times a day sightings π. Although I still automatically look up if they call. Folk I met for the first time must have think me rude, breaking off speaking or gazing upwards π.
I'd love to add somewhere for swifts or swallows to nest - won't be this year though. Do you know where I could find boxes? But delighted we have several nests in various hedges jncluding, blackbirds, sparrows, Robin and wren. Not sure where our 75-100 starlings 'live'.
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