WHAT'S BUZZING OR FLYING NEAR YOU 2020

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by strongylodon, Jan 5, 2020.

  1. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    I've got a number of Carrion and Hooded Crows here but I haven't seen them preening but they fight quite viciously on the lawn.
     
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    • strongylodon

      strongylodon Old Member

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      Never seen a Hooded Crow here, only abroad.

      A sunny day so it had to be Brownsea Island again.
      Probably same birds as last time!
      Avocet.
      Avocet 1.JPG

      Greenshank.
      Greenshank 1.JPG

      Mediterranean Gull (Black Headed Gull in foreground).
      IMNed 1.jpg

      Oystercatcher.
      IOYK.JPG

      Brent Geese.
      IMBrents.JPG
       
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      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        This one I took some years back on Mann @strongylodon. It was me that was feeding him. The ones I have here have much darker markings, but they are skittish and I haven't managed to get any shots yet.

        Hooded Crow (2).JPG
         
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        • Scotty2088

          Scotty2088 Gardener

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          • strongylodon

            strongylodon Old Member

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            Maybe not a great deal of interest to many but as I was asked the difference between Crows and Ravens I thought I would show the difference between our common Black Headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls as I have shown both and might be confusing.

            Mediterranean Gulls are a fairly recent coloniser but are now quite common in certain areas.
            'Med' Gull has no black feathers on the wings or tail and has a completely black head and bright red bill and legs.
            The Med gull here is in between the Black Headed which are really chocolate brown!
            Mediterranean Gull and BH Gulls - Brownsea.JPG

            In winter both gulls loose their black heads but the Med Gulls are have no black on the tail.
            Mediterranean Gull Radipole winter.JPG
             
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            • strongylodon

              strongylodon Old Member

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              Went for an 'isolating' walk along the cliffs at Durlston Country Park.
              Fulmar Petrels were performing well and in open view as were the Razorbills.
              Fulmar 3.JPG

              Fulmars4.JPG

              fulmar 1.jpg

              Razors 1.JPG

              Razors 2.JPG

              Saw my first Wheatear this year but distant, a smart male.
              IMG_6262.JPG

              A few Blackcaps had arrived.
              Blackcap.JPG

              One large female Adder was out cloud bathing.
              IMAdder.JPG
               
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              • Sheal

                Sheal Total Gardener

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                Lovely pictures Strongy with the exception of the last one. :) Sorry, snakes revolt me! :doh:
                 
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                • strongylodon

                  strongylodon Old Member

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                  Our temporary lake here where the river Piddle has burst it's banks has become a bird hot spot.
                  Yesterday a pair of Garganey, our only summer visiting ducks (all the way from Africa) turned up in the afternoon and left this morning!
                  G5.JPG

                  G 2.JPG


                  This morning a flock of Black Tailed Godwits came in, some males in breeding plumage and a Ruff was spotted amongst them. This one is half white. Again it has over wintered in the Med or Africa briefly stopping on it's way north.
                  RUFF 1.JPG
                   
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                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

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                    They're on their way back Strongy. :) The geese have started flying over here in great numbers.
                     
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                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                      @strongylodon it may just be the photo but those gulls don't seem to be anywhere near the size of the seagulls we're seeing round here at the moment. They're covering the fields when the farmers have ploughed.
                       
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                      • strongylodon

                        strongylodon Old Member

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                        @shiney that's because the large ones on the ploughed fields are Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls.
                         
                      • shiney

                        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                        Thanks, but has anyone told them they are Lesser? It seems a bit of a put down!
                         
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                        • wiseowl

                          wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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                          @shiney sometimes Lesser is more:lunapic 130165696578242 5:
                           
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                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                            We seem to be getting more and more of what I think are herring gulls.
                            Great big things.
                             
                          • strongylodon

                            strongylodon Old Member

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                            Both of these gulls appear in large flocks so it could be both. Nearly all gulls follow tractors in fields.:smile:
                             
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