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Birdwatching.

Are there any enthusiastic ornithologists out there? Either out in the field. Or maybe just the back garden. I am nearly 70 and have been bird watching since I was a 12yo schoolboy at a boarding school right in the heart of the Dorset countryside. And I am thrilled that since coming to Scotland, I have so far.seen four birds that I never ever spotted in England! And I saw my very first red squirrel up here too.


Created By on 19/03/2015

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Dani
3rd Nov 2020 15:25:03 (Last activity: 5th Nov 2020 15:19:01)
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I live in a little cottage next to a field with a small fishing lake.
This year I chopped down a section of hedge in order to watch the wildlife on the lake. The swans successfully reared five young; they’re just getting their adult plumage and it’s been wonderful seeing them learn to fly and gradually moving a little further from the parent birds as they glide across the water. There have been herons and cormorants, numerous ducks and geese, moor hens and coots.
The buzzards circled overhead daily, two families of robins busied themselves, the noisiest little wrens imaginable nested at the end of the garden. Owls hoot most evenings and two little owls peep out of a nearby tree in daylight.
It’s been a wonderful summer.
Response from Dani made on 4th Nov 2020 17:04:47
Thank you. My husband was a true lover of the natural world, and a very talented wildlife photographer. He really showed me how much delight there is in simply watching quietly as the world unfolds its delights.
Response from Dani made on 4th Nov 2020 19:50:10
Yes, it’s great to be excited by the everyday comings and blogs of creatures who, really, neither know we are there nor care about us. Sort of puts a perspective on life, doesn’t it?
I live in Cheshire, fortunately in a great location, but before I was widowed I lived in Pembrokeshire, far more lovely and so much wildlife on our doorstep. I still half own a little woodland that Mike planted there. I miss it enormously.
But life changes and it would be very ungrateful not to appreciate the wonders of wherever we find ourselves.
I planted a wild flower patch in spring. I hope it will have self seeded for next year. Some dats, the buzzing of industrious bees was so loud that I could hear it from the kitchen door! We had butterflies galore, and a wasp nest beneath the hedge; I mowed the grass occasionally but wasn’t afraid. They never bothered me at all.
Two of my grandchildren spent many weeks here over lockdown. They made a toad house... we have a substantial population here. We put one of those big buckets that you use for wetsuits in the wild bit and behold.... one evening, having nurtured our tadpoles for ages, tiny little froglets were passing by in their hundreds. The joy on the children’s faces showed that a new generation of wildlife lovers was in the making. I’m just very sorry that my generation has destroyed so much of what we should have preserved for them
But there is hope. Always.
Response from Dani made on 5th Nov 2020 15:19:01
Thank you. I wish you the same...and to everyone else on here.
It’s been a beautiful day here and, as you suggest, the colours are glorious, although fading fast. I had a long walk and a couple of hours in the garden. No idea what I’m doing, really, but it’s good to be physical and in the fresh air.
Some online teaching this evening...a complete change but enjoyable. Otherwise I’d hardly get to speak at all!
Lynaki
6th Feb 2017 13:23:59
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Well it seems as though I am the only one, the only Silversurfer that likes birdwatching!! I am replying to myself!! I will just keep going regardless as I am used to talking to myself

Today it is a cold misty morning on the Monsal Trail very few birds around and hardly any one out. It is quite pleasant though and I am enjoying my walk. Suddenly in front of me a sizeable bird sweeps low across the path. Sparrow Hawk comes to mind but I am not seeing it well enough to identify it for certain. I follow it as it flies fast and low over the adjacent field. It is very skilful turning its body this way and that as it goes along. Yes it could be a Sparrow Hawk certainly it is a bird of prey and it appears heavier than a Kestral and smaller than a buzzard. As I walk there are drops appearing on the small overhanging branches signalling that the sun is breaking through the mist is melting the frost. I can hear the drops falling like rain and I can hear the birds start to sing. The robin and the long tail tits are out and the blackbird is in the gulley throwing up the fallen leaves in his search for a tasty morsel. He bobs off into the undergrowth when he realises I am watching him.
Well that's it for today next time I log on it would be lovely to read something from a like minded Silversurfer....here's hoping.
Lynaki
2nd Feb 2017 23:01:13 (Last activity: 3rd Feb 2017 22:34:38)
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Hi everyone in the Sheffield area. I keep hearing there are waxwings to be seen at the moment in Sheffield.. I cannot find out where they are to be seen in Sheffield. Can anyone help me with this? I understand they are coming to the UK from Scandinavia looking for the red berries particularly on Rowan trees. Look forward to hearing from fellow bird spotters.
Response from Lynaki made on 3rd Feb 2017 22:34:38
A beautiful day on the Monsal Trail at Bakewell. I was lucky to set off around mid day just as the sky cleared and the sun came out. So did the birds. Every step of the way I could hear them chattering in the trees at either side of the track. I have recently seen a woodpecker quite close the one with the bright red under his tail now is that the lesser or the greater spotted woodpecker? Maybe someone will tell me. I didn't see him today but I did see four or maybe five long tailed tits flitting about, following each other from tree to tree. A Blue Tit was singing and as I slowed to listen a stoat ......or was it a weasel... ran across the path in front of me. His light brown coat shone in the sun and his black tail was spectacular. A rare sight I was thrilled to have seen him. But the highlight of my walk was the song thrush. Oh the notes he sang were so beautiful and he didn't seem to mind my stopping to listen he just carried on singing. I think the birds and me thought of spring today.... but not yet. We still have February fill dyke and March winds to endure.
Terrysoldgal
12th Feb 2016 10:47:20 (Last activity: 24th Mar 2016 09:52:32)
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I also love watching birds and have a bird table and several various bird feeders around the garden. Even though I tend to see the same species of birds everyday I still take great enjoyment from them. We live on the edge of some woodland so we get quite a few nuthatches, woodpeckers and sometimes pheasants along with the regular green finches, chaffinches, robins, various tits etc. For the last few years we have been getting siskins on our nyger seed feeder during the winter months.

What are the four new species of birds that you have spotted up in Scotland?
Response from Goldfynche Original Poster made on 19th Mar 2016 14:54:19
Terrysoldgal. Sorry I've only just noticed your question, in answer to my post. The 4 birds I have seen are Dipper, Goosander, Goldeneye and best of all, a Waxwing.
Response from Terrysoldgal made on 24th Mar 2016 09:52:32
I was unfamiliar with the birds that you mentioned and looked them up on the RSPB website and they are lovely birds. When I was on holiday up in Shetland I saw such lovely birds that I had never seen before on and around the water and it was quite thrilling.
Goldfynche Original Poster
19th Mar 2016 15:00:37 (Last activity: 20th Mar 2016 17:43:50)
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Very happy to see that a pair of blackbirds are 'house building ' in the high hedge at the back of my garden. We will have to keep my daughters 2 chihuahua pups under tight control when in the garden. Luckily the only local moggie that we've seen in the neighbourhood, wears a collar with a bell on it!
Response from Terrysoldgal made on 20th Mar 2016 17:13:50
Thank you for sharing about your blackbird 'nest building'. The only nest building I have seen so far have been a pair of crows gathering sticks and twigs. Some people don't care for crows but I like all types of birds and feel they all have their place in nature.
My neighbor unfortunately has 4 moggies as she likes rescuing cats bless her however we bought them all collars with bells to help the birds.
Response from Goldfynche Original Poster made on 20th Mar 2016 17:43:50
Yes, it can be difficult. We love cats and dogs also. The two pups will chase anything that moves, regardless of size! They tried to take on some Greater black backed gulls, down by the river. Twice the size that they were!
Goldfynche Original Poster
10th Apr 2015 14:00:52
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No doubt it looked pretty spectacular anyway Margie. I do hope that doesn't mean you're leaving us for good. 🙁 We need all the contributors we can get!

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