What's buzzing or flying near you 2024 ?

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

  1. fairygirl

    fairygirl Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2020
    Messages:
    2,699
    Occupation:
    retired
    Location:
    west central Scotland
    Ratings:
    +5,836
    They mentioned that many of them stay in the vicinity @Sheal, as opposed to the thousands that move on. It was a very interesting item. It might have been a repeat of one of the series about Shetland or the islands etc. I've been watching those again. It's because there are suitable feeding grounds for them in the north east during migration.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 2, 2011
      Messages:
      36,134
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Dingwall, Ross-shire
      Ratings:
      +54,418
      I'll have to remember to take my camera out with me @fairygirl. I pass fields full of geese from time to time and curse myself for not having it with me. :doh:
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • strongylodon

        strongylodon Old Member

        Joined:
        Feb 12, 2006
        Messages:
        14,994
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Wareham, Dorset
        Ratings:
        +29,931
        Some of the 400 Golden Plovers recently arrived at Lodmoor RSPB in Weymouth for the winter Hopefully there will be more and get to see them again on a sunny day where they sparkle in the sun.
        Gold 3.JPG

        Gold 7.JPG
         

        Attached Files:

        • Like Like x 11
        • wiseowl

          wiseowl Admin Staff Member

          Joined:
          Oct 29, 2006
          Messages:
          44,923
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Philosophy of people
          Location:
          In a barn somewhere in North Kent
          Ratings:
          +92,127
          Just A Reminder
          Hedgehog.JPG
           
          • Like Like x 3
          • Agree Agree x 2
          • strongylodon

            strongylodon Old Member

            Joined:
            Feb 12, 2006
            Messages:
            14,994
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Wareham, Dorset
            Ratings:
            +29,931
            A single Barnacle Goose amongst a large flock of Canada Geese, uncommon here.
            Barn 4.JPG

            barn 3.JPG
             
            • Like Like x 6
            • hydrogardener

              hydrogardener Total Gardener

              Joined:
              May 10, 2013
              Messages:
              1,069
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Brunswick, New York, USA
              Ratings:
              +5,202
              In autumn, the berry bushes are full of berries and our fine feathered friends are postponing their flights south to take advantage of the bonanza, decisions, decisions, decisions. American Robin.

              America  Robin gc.jpg
               
              • Like Like x 9
              • strongylodon

                strongylodon Old Member

                Joined:
                Feb 12, 2006
                Messages:
                14,994
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Wareham, Dorset
                Ratings:
                +29,931
                It's getting manic in the garden as around 70 Goldfinches visited today with a lot of squabbling going on and a young green finch helped to empty the feeders so I had to refill them.
                goldfinch tree 1.JPG

                green 3.JPG

                gold 2.JPG
                 

                Attached Files:

                • Like Like x 8
                • fairygirl

                  fairygirl Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Oct 3, 2020
                  Messages:
                  2,699
                  Occupation:
                  retired
                  Location:
                  west central Scotland
                  Ratings:
                  +5,836
                  That's a massive amount of goldies @strongylodon - is that normal around your area?
                  Fantastic :smile:

                  Mine is a slightly more stark pic. They just looked like they were sitting there, contemplating the meaning of life....:biggrin:

                  'ere Kevin, what d'you think of that new song by Paul Heaton? Sh*te, innit?'

                  111_1150.JPG
                   
                  • Funny Funny x 4
                  • strongylodon

                    strongylodon Old Member

                    Joined:
                    Feb 12, 2006
                    Messages:
                    14,994
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Retired
                    Location:
                    Wareham, Dorset
                    Ratings:
                    +29,931
                    @fairygirl there have been up to 20 for some weeks but obviously the popularity of the 'Sunflower Heart Hotel' has spread, I thought 30 was unusual. I have never seen this number in the countryside.
                     
                    • Like Like x 2
                    • fairygirl

                      fairygirl Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Oct 3, 2020
                      Messages:
                      2,699
                      Occupation:
                      retired
                      Location:
                      west central Scotland
                      Ratings:
                      +5,836
                      That's where mine have all gone then @strongylodon- down to you :biggrin:
                      I usually have quite a good bunch visiting regularly, but they've been a little bit absent recently. I mainly feed sunflower hearts, plus a seed mix, which I also add s'flower hearts into. We have a lot of good habitat around though, so there's plenty of choice for them.
                      The sparrows have been very full on though. Very messy and very entertaining. :smile:
                      I think they must have had a 3rd clutch this year, which isn't usually the case, but we've had a longer, more benign season right from early on in the year, so I assume that's the reason.
                       
                      • Like Like x 2
                      • Jiffy

                        Jiffy The Match is on Fire

                        Joined:
                        Aug 25, 2011
                        Messages:
                        11,637
                        Occupation:
                        Pyro
                        Location:
                        Retired Next To The Bonfire in UK
                        Ratings:
                        +33,695
                        Not many birds here at all i can count them on 1 hand so i don't know what's happen around here but bird numbers have drop big time for time of year
                         
                        • Informative Informative x 4
                        • CatDouch

                          CatDouch Super Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Mar 13, 2024
                          Messages:
                          129
                          Gender:
                          Female
                          Location:
                          South Devon
                          Ratings:
                          +639
                          Can anyone let me know if this bird is a Crow or a Raven, I've been calling her Sheryl as I thought she was a crow! It visits most days and I leave a dog treat out for her which she loves. As it has a couple of white tail feathers I can tell it’s the same bird every day.

                          I just saw a similar sized bird in a tree near our house and the Merlin app says the call is a raven. I've not heard my bird call so I can't identify her that way, but I’m beginning to think my crow is a raven? IMG_4427.jpeg IMG_4428.jpeg
                           
                          • Like Like x 2
                          • On the Levels

                            On the Levels Super Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Mar 17, 2024
                            Messages:
                            779
                            Ratings:
                            +1,786
                            @CatDouch I think it is a carrion crow.
                            Yesterday we saw the first signs of starlings getting together. They line up on the electricity wires between the pylons. A sign that cold weather is sending them over to the UK.
                             
                            • Like Like x 2
                            • Agree Agree x 2
                            • pete

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

                              Joined:
                              Jan 9, 2005
                              Messages:
                              51,187
                              Gender:
                              Male
                              Occupation:
                              Retired
                              Location:
                              Mid Kent
                              Ratings:
                              +94,252
                              I caught a fleeting glimpse of a bird today, I was alerted by its strange call at first and then it flew from a tall tree.
                              It had the look of a Kestrel in flight but looked bigger.
                               
                              • Like Like x 1
                              • Informative Informative x 1
                              • fairygirl

                                fairygirl Total Gardener

                                Joined:
                                Oct 3, 2020
                                Messages:
                                2,699
                                Occupation:
                                retired
                                Location:
                                west central Scotland
                                Ratings:
                                +5,836
                                Not a raven. You'd know if you had a raven - they're huge compared to other crows/corvids. :smile:
                                I'd agree that's a carrion crow.
                                Rooks are different again - they have a quite distinct shape and angle to their beak, which is quite a light grey colour, and hooded crows are generally lighter in colour, with mostly a light grey body rather than that very dark grey/black. Jackdaws are smaller and also look quite different because of their eyes.
                                We have loads of rooks and jackdaws round here, and also carrion crows, but it can sometimes be tricky to see which is which if you're not seeing them close up. Ravens are common on all our hills, but less so in domestic settings. :smile:

                                Do you get Merlins round you @pete?
                                 
                                • Like Like x 1
                                • Agree Agree x 1
                                • Informative Informative x 1
                                Loading...

                                Share This Page

                                1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                                  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                                  Dismiss Notice