What's Buzzing or Flying near you today......2016

The Geese @Sheal at a guess would be Pink Footed, White Fronted or possibly Grey Lag, the first two as a far as I know rarely over winter in Scotland.

Lots of Fieldfares and Redwings here but as you say @Kandy not in gardens yet as there is so much wild food around. Lots of Mistle Thrushes too. By the way it is going though if any Waxwings ever get this far South (if we get any at all) there will be nothing left for them!!

Our Sparrow count is only about 15/20 and the same for Starlings.

 

As you can tell, I'm pretty new to bird feeding, so had a good look on rspb website and have already noted a few do's and don'ts.. the info probably still stands but they haven't been updated for a few years now.

 

Thanks for the info Strongy.

 

Hope you are settling in well to your temporary new home @Sheal

@strongylodon there are lots of Waxwings over on the Norfolk Coast at the moment and just reading the blog of birders in our county Waxwings were seen in several villages early yesterday morning but we missed them as we were busy trying to catch up with post holiday stuff so never got a walk in and as the birds were seen quiet early in the day we doubt if we would have seen them anyway

 

It's the babies that can choke on the peanuts @Kandy

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/helping-birds/feeding/faqs.aspx

 

@Zigs according to the RSPB through the link you have posted it says it is whole peanuts that can choke the babies,and as I have observed the parents pecking at the nuts,they only collect very small pieces in which to feed the chicks.Even the adult birds that take whole peanuts usually sit in my apple tree and peck away at the nut so that they can swallow bits of it.I should think that even the adult birds would choke if they tried swallowing the whole nut.Even sunflower hearts are pecked away at before they eat them.This is where a sharp beak comes in handy

 

That's good then Kandy I was only saying what i'd read

 

No probs @Zigs even the RSPB get it wrong at times

 

Yes, thank you @Kandy. I'm enjoying the wildlife in the area too and yet to go looking for the dolphins that I'm told are seen locally.

 

Nice Godwits @wiseowl

Brands Bay, Studland this morning.
Brownsea Island (left) in the sun, closed to visitors until the end of Feb.


Brent Geese, hundreds have now arrived.


Mediterranean Gull (front with no black on wing tips) and Black Headed Gull behind.


First Red Breasted Mergansers this Autumn.




Even at this time of year they do some sort of display.


Herring Gull.


The Greater Black Backed Gull looks huge compared to the tiny Ringed Plover bottom left.


For you @Sheal in case you don't see many Oystercatchers where you are now, the Ringed Plover is an extra!
The one Grey Plover was too far away for a pic.

 

Thanks @strongylodon, I've still got a soft spot for them! I discovered quite a few last week at a tidal harbour, unfortunately dusk was closing in so I couldn't take any pictures. I'll be back there though!

The Ringed Plover is a cute little fellow. Hopefully I'll see a better mix of sea birds here.

 

Housesparrows, blackbirds, robin, dunnocks.
The housemartins left a few weeks ago and even then they were late leaving.
The bluetits have arrived and checking out nesting/overwintering sites.

Put the bread machine on ... the time is now

 

Male Tufted Duck @wiseowl.

Egyptian Geese and other at Kew Gardens yesterday.





Ring Necked Parakeet, which to some are a noisy pest and would like to ring their necks!!!!!




Red Crested Pochard.


Cormorants at a roost on the other side of the Thames.


Cormorant on one of the islands on Kew lake in the sun.