WHAT'S BUZZING OR FLYING NEAR YOU 2018

Loads of Red Kites around (and over) us.

I was wondering which year they might start breeding, I thought this being the 2nd year the 2017 birds would be 2 in 2019 and it's normally from their 3rd year they start nesting?

Also read that migrating Ospreys have briefly stopped over at The Arne/Poole Harbour and have mingled with the Arne Ospreys, and they might just pair up with one another from next year.

I'm following this with interest. Would be great to see them nesting in 2019. Are you involved with Birds Of Poole Harbour | Bird Watching in and Around Poole ?

 

@Scrungee they may stay another year in Africa, depends on whether they are mature enough or not.
I do sometimes report sightings to them and also Dorset Bird club and know the people running them. I am not actively involved with the Osprey project as it is too time consumin.
It was sad to loose half of the 14 chicks brought down this year.

 

A rare Franklin's Gull in Radipole RSPB car park, either blown or wandered across from North America.

 

Went to a small marsh behind a storm beach about 6 weeks ago, but it was over-run with school students (probably Geography field studies, but they'd put every bird up), went back again yesterday, but there were 5 mini-buses in the car park, so went elsewhere.

But there was a crow in the car park

Saw a Grey Heron along Horner Water yesterday, too elusive for a pic. Not seen one there in the over 40 years I've been visiting.

 

A few more from yesterday.
Ring Necked Duck.


Canada Geese.


Brent Geese have arrived for the Winter.

 

A few pictures of the birds I feed regularly at a few spots along the Bow River. Chickadees, Downy Woodpecker and both the white and red breasted Nuthatches.
Today the Downy Woodpeckers much larger cousin the hairy woodpecker showed up. Won't eat from my hand yet but once I put the suet block down, he was all over it. Looks just like the Downy but bigger.

the red breasted nuthatch

the male downy woodpecker


The above is the female. I've known these two for a few years. The female sometimes perches on my head and the male thinks he's a parrot and likes my shoulder.

The Blue Jays that hang around my backyard.


And my little chickadees of course. I know one that is missing a leg but seems to be fine, this is the second year he/she has been coming for seed.

a video of a hairy woodpecker

 

Beautiful birds, I don't think many members here have them feeding from their hands.

 

Redshank

 

Female Reed Bunting.

 

Marsh Harrier.

 

Always nice to see Pintail returning, the drakes look smart in their Winter plumage.


Female, surrounded by sleeping Mallards.

 

@wiseowl, Wildlife habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate with virtually nothing to stop it, even 'green belt' areas have been redefined to aid developers.

 

Even in the countryside their's a big drop in numbers of wildlife, this year was a big noticeable change, hate to think what it is going to be like in 10 years time

 

Cattle Egret



Grey Heron


Mallard (over Glastonbury Tor)