What's buzzing or flying near you 2024 ?

GWD do refills too - box of 6 for a tenner. The drawback is the postage charge, but if you're buying bird food of any kind, it's pretty easy to get to the £25 no delivery charge level.
They also do a 'starter' box which has the initial jar plus holder holder, and a couple of refills which is good value at a tenner.

 

I couldn't resist having a look at the overwintering Golden Plovers again in Weymouth.

 

I'm always meaning to ask you @strongylodon - have you always lived there and therefore the interest in birds grew from that proximity to the nature reserves, or did you move there for the nature reserves and bird activity?
I love seeing your photos. It's very different from our landscape up here too, so many varieties of bird that we wouldn't see without a fair bit of travelling.

 

@fairygirl I have been in Dorset for over 30 years and in Weymouth for 20 of those which has two well known RSPB reserves. I have been in Wareham for 13 years now and I am close to Poole Harbour which is also well known as being nationally important. I don't do much birding outside Dorset as there is so much here but just the occasional trip to Ham Wall in Somerset and my annual Winter trip to Slimbridge next month (which is a 3 hour drive each way).

 

Went to RSPB Greylake today with our son. Saw a merlin which put the fowls up and then down and it kept moving into different areas and then the birds ignored it. Saw large numbers of greylag geese. A ring tailed hen harrier and well as the marsh harriers over the reed beds. A good visit and met up with some friends so double bonus.

 

With the weather improved today I had a walk along the port area of Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth. Hardly any birds to be seen apart from a handful of Oystercatchers and a couple of ducks. I managed to get these shots of a Curlew before it got camera shy.

 

Those are gorgeous pics of your curlew, @Sheal. It looks a lovely setting.

 

Lovely pix @Sheal. I've often seen them up around the lower slopes of the Glenshee hills, but never near enough for a photo. You can hear them though. The hill as you 'enter' Glenshee is called Ben Gulabin which translates to the hill of the curlew, but I didn't see any when I was there many years ago.

You certainly have plenty nearby to keep your interest @strongylodon ! Enjoy your next trip - I look forward to seeing the pix.

 

@On the Levels was there any reports of the Baikal Teal which is overwintering there again. It does seem elusive and not always visible, all I saw last February was it's head!
The Merlin does seem to be regular as I have seen several close up photos.

 

While walking yesterday, I saw these birds. Unfortunately, I can't name them, but I suppose they are winter guests.
Sorry for the quality. I had just the iphone with me and it was grey and drizzling.

 

Look like cormorants to me. They're residents in the UK.
@strongylodon will be able to confirm or correct though.

 

The common cormorant or shag
Lays eggs inside a paper bag.
The reason you will see, no doubt,
Is to keep the sunshine out.
But what these unobservant birds
Have failed to notice, is that herds
Of wandering bears may come buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.

 

Thanks @fairygirl and @Escarpment

 

Had this lovely male blackcap in the garden yesterday.

 

I like cormorants, mostly because anglers seem to hate them.