WHAT'S BUZZING OR FLYING NEAR YOU 2018

Beardies!! I guess the more common name, as it's more widely known.

 

Well I wasn't expecting that! Beardies it is then.

 

Single Spoonbill, The other 39 must be on Brownsea Island!


Four of a flock of 22 Grey Plovers.


A sleeping drake Pintail in it's smart winter plumage.

 

Owls here have been very vocal over the last couple of weeks. Any particular reason for that please, or are they sensing Spring isn't too far away?

 

Some owls do call all through the winter, possibly territory assertion.

 

Thank you for the information Woo and Strongy.

 

Lunch for the Herring Gulls at Poole quay, fishing boat throw outs. Not sure what it has, Flounder, Dab or Turbot?




Red Gurnard?




Very tame Turnstones.

 

Downy Woodpecker, female.

 

@hydrogardener A stunning bird and a nice sharp image.

I presume this dodgy pic of one in Colorado with a red neck patch is a male?
It was constantly moving so I couldn't get a good shot.

 

It is hard to tell if it is a Downy or Hairy woodpecker from the photo. The red patch would indicate it being a male in either case. Yes, they are elusive and are easily frightened by movement. The difference in the species is the size of the bird and the length of the bill. That is what I use to determine species in any case.

 

These little guys are fun to have around also. They are cute with those big black eyes and crest.

 

Another stunner. We have one crested Tit but it is only found in a few Scottish forest now.

I have just found another of the same bird in a different tree and looking at the length of the bill I guess it is a Downy Woodpecker.

 

I think that is a Hairy, the Downy has a short bill but it is hard to determine from that photo.