What's buzzing or flying near you 2024 ?

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by JWK, Jan 1, 2024.

  1. strongylodon

    strongylodon Old Member

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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      Are you swearing at me? :loll:
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      • fairygirl

        fairygirl Total Gardener

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        I watched a dunnock do that yesterday @hydrogardener . They often like the gravel when it warms up, but this one had found a little empty spot at the edge of a raised bed :smile:

        Another one also thought the bare bit of this, recently moved, saxifrage might make a nice spot for a little rest. It spent quite a while there
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        I spent a good while watching this wee soul enjoying the fennel too. We don't often get them in the garden, but it's lovely when they do visit. :smile:
        I got some nice videos but I haven't yet worked out if/how I can put them on this site
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        • wiseowl

          wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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          Good morning spotted on my walk this morning my ID of birds leaves a lot to be desired:smile:

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          • On the Levels

            On the Levels Super Gardener

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            Could be wrong @wiseowl but looks like a kestrel.
             
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            • DiggersJo

              DiggersJo Head Gardener

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              Looks like a Merlin to me, whatever, its lovely..
               
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              • DiggersJo

                DiggersJo Head Gardener

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                My first thought, but the tail didn't seem right?
                 
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                • On the Levels

                  On the Levels Super Gardener

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                  Yesterday we had 2 little egrets flying over the garden in synchronised flying...have they been watching the Olympics?
                  Then 3 buzzards in a thermal calling out to each other.
                  Green spotted woodpecker very vocal but not seen.
                  A large dragonfly but too quick and far away at the bottom of the garden. One of the darters?
                   
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                  • wiseowl

                    wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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                    Thank you my friends my wildlife ID considering the time I spend in countryside is shocking thank you for your help:smile:
                     
                  • LunarSea

                    LunarSea Front Garden Curator

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                    Yes, looks like Kestrel to me. Those dark bands would be much wider on a female/juvenile Merlin.
                     
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                    • wiseowl

                      wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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                      Good afternoon @LunarSea and thank you :smile:
                       
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                      • DiggersJo

                        DiggersJo Head Gardener

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                        Its the presence of those numerous bands that put me off Kestrel and go for a Merlin. The flight and size would be the give away. The BTO here has a decent video on the subject.
                         
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                        • strongylodon

                          strongylodon Old Member

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                          @fairygirl Looks like a Willow Warbler, I have never had one in the garden, just Chiffchaffs.
                           
                        • LunarSea

                          LunarSea Front Garden Curator

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                          That's a really useful video clip.

                          What I should have said is that on a female/juvenile Merlin the dark bands in the tail are wider than the light bands. On a Kestrel it's the opposite. But both have a wide dark terminal band.
                           
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