Originally posted by Padraig
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What birds (are you/have you been) watching? What birds have been watching you?
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Richard Tarleton
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Originally posted by Bryn View PostFirst Blackbird of the day, this morning, at 04:25. Other birds slow to join in.
Often the first birds I hear toward first light, dear Robins apart, are Magpies or Crows...
Jackdaws are swirling down onto the lawn now for their bread and seed, and a Blackcap has begun its chortling .... as The Swan of Tuonela glides quietly by...Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 16-05-19, 04:00.
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Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View PostDon't your Robins beat them to it? Or do they carry on all night like mine? Wood Pigeons sing occasionally TTN as well. There's a fair club of all-nighters...
Often the first birds I hear toward first light, dear Robins apart, are Magpies or Crows...
Jackdaws are swirling down onto the lawn now for their seed, and a Blackcap has begun its chortling .... as The Swan of Tuonela glides quietly by...
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Richard Tarleton
An early morning breeding bird survey (mapping bird song in the study area) enlivened by no fewer than three spotted flycatchers this morning. The BTO says:
Breeding Bird Survey data show a decline in the breeding population of 39% between 1995 and 2016, part of a staggering longer term decline of 87% since 1970.
The results of our initial research indicate that more Spotted Flycatchers are dying during the first year of their lives and that this increased mortality is likely to be behind the population decline.
They have progressively disappeared from our garden, and the village.....
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Originally posted by Richard Tarleton View PostAn early morning breeding bird survey (mapping bird song in the study area) enlivened by no fewer than three spotted flycatchers this morning. The BTO says:
Breeding Bird Survey data show a decline in the breeding population of 39% between 1995 and 2016, part of a staggering longer term decline of 87% since 1970.
The results of our initial research indicate that more Spotted Flycatchers are dying during the first year of their lives and that this increased mortality is likely to be behind the population decline.
They have progressively disappeared from our garden, and the village.....
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Richard Tarleton
Originally posted by Vox Humana View PostNot about watching birds, but I was absolutely appalled to read this. I had no idea. Think about it next time you buy olives or olive oil.
https://www.birdguides.com/news/mill...mediterranean/
I read today that there are 700 km of mist nets along the N African coast to trap migrants.
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Originally posted by Richard Tarleton View PostAppalling indeed. Me neither.
I read today that there are 700 km of mist nets along the N African coast to trap migrants.
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Richard Tarleton
Originally posted by Vox Humana View PostCould you give me a link for that, please, Richard? My goodness, with all this going on - and all that Mediterranean shooting to boot - it's no wonder our birds are declining. And then the birds that do reach us have to contend with our intensive farming and other habitat destruction. It's all very depressing.
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Just returned from a sailing trip in the Med and Adriatic. There was nothing like the abundance or variety of seabirds we have on the UK and Brittany coast. Out at sea there were a few shearwateres skimming the waves in charactersiric fashion, but not much else. Happily we saw dolphins and porpoises on many occasions, so there must be some life in the oceans. However off the north coast of Sicily there were several mile-long gill nets which fishermen set at night. Apart from being a hazard to boats, it seems a most unpleasant way of catching tuna...which I understand they were after.
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Richard Tarleton
Originally posted by ardcarp View PostJust returned from a sailing trip in the Med and Adriatic. There was nothing like the abundance or variety of seabirds we have on the UK and Brittany coast. Out at sea there were a few shearwateres skimming the waves in charactersiric fashion, but not much else. Happily we saw dolphins and porpoises on many occasions, so there must be some life in the oceans. However off the north coast of Sicily there were several mile-long gill nets which fishermen set at night. Apart from being a hazard to boats, it seems a most unpleasant way of catching tuna...which I understand they were after.
I hope I've got that right, Vox will correct me if not.
This splitting business has got out of hand - basically what were once considered subspecies or races being reclassified as separate species. Thus the Subalpine warblers I've seen over the years in Mallorca are now Moltoni's warbler (fortunately I've seen them elsewhere, so that's a tick) - whereas the Marmora's warblers I've seen there are now Balearic warblers, which may or may not be a separate species - I'd have to go to Corsica and Sardinia to see Marmora's.
I believe it's all down to DNA studies. Once upon a time ornithologists just did drawings of things, dissected them and compared skins.
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