What birds (are you/have you been) watching? What birds have been watching you?

[Pulcinella]

Some good pictures here from a forthcoming book:
Birds in my lockdown garden, by Denis Thorpe

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/26/charmed-in-lockdown-garden-birds-by-denis-thorpe-in-pictures

[ardcarp]

Nice pics! Saw goldfinches today by chance.

[Serial_Apologist]

Some good pictures here from a forthcoming book:
Birds in my lockdown garden, by Denis Thorpe

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...pe-in-pictures

No pics there of the squawking parakeets that have become the commonplace sound and sight of bird life around these parts over the past few years, and now would seem to be fast increasing in numbers. At one point this morning there were six of them, fluttering around the Sky dish bracketed on the far corner of our block between landing on it and clutching onto the bare brick wall. I am imagining enterprising youngsters with nets, out at night looking for ways to trap them, and flog them to unsuspecting members of the public as cage birds. Meanwhile five magpies lined up on the roof gutter, two storeys higher, peering down from on high upon this ongoing kerfuffle, and looking like old grumpies tut-tutting about foreigners taking over the neighbourhood!

[gradus]

A pair of jays flew across the road as we were driving to the farm shop, such attractive birds.

[vinteuil]

... the squawking parakeets that have become the commonplace sound and sight of bird life around these parts over the past few years, and now would seem to be fast increasing in numbers. At one point this morning there were six of them, fluttering around the Sky dish bracketed on the far corner of our block between landing on it and clutching onto the bare brick wall. I am imagining enterprising youngsters with nets, out at night looking for ways to trap them, and flog them to unsuspecting members of the public as cage birds...

... we were stomping round Wormwood Scrubs at sunset the other day - the noise of the parakeets was deafening. They have chosen the copse just north of the prison as a roosting site, and were landing, squabbling, taking off and swirling from tree to tree before settling. The almost leafless trees were heavy with birds. They were there in their hundreds - if not thousands. Never seen or heard anything like it.

.

[ardcarp]

Luckily [?] parakeets don't seem to have reached the West Country yet, at least, not our bit.

[cloughie]

A pair of jays flew across the road as we were driving to the farm shop, such attractive birds.

Attractive but not without evil in the nesting season! There does seem to be a few around this autumn.

[ardcarp]

Mrs A was lucky enough to see a goldcrest lurking in a bush in our garden. She was behind a double-glazed window so her presence did not disturb this somewhat secretive bird. I'm jealous!

[cloughie]

Just been watching a male blackbird having a really good splash around in the birdbath. Their bills seem to be even brighter at this time of the year.

[Maclintick]

Today a pair of red kites on their customary patrol of village gardens. Yesterday at Farmoor, the cheering vivacity of wagtails, pied & grey, flitting at the margins. Failed to spot a great northern diver reputedly in residence...

[gradus]

I finally got round to filling the bird feeders but not a sausage yet on reflection that's a little unfair on the ever-reliable blue tits.

[Bryn]

I finally got round to filling the bird feeders but not a sausage yet on reflection that's a little unfair on the ever-reliable blue tits.

Surely the magpies will go for sausages?

[ardcarp]

Avocets are back on the Exe near Topsham in Devon.

[kernelbogey]

The (tentative) return of a bit of dawn chorus seems to have come earlier.... I may be wrong but beginning of December seems early: usually around the beginning of January. (Total avian amateur here, mind.... )

[cloughie]

The (tentative) return of a bit of dawn chorus seems to have come earlier.... I may be wrong but beginning of December seems early: usually around the beginning of January. (Total avian amateur here, mind.... )

Last Christmas eve as I was setting out for Breakfast with friends and the Harmony Choir’s carol sing through Falmouth (Alas Covid cancelled this year), I was greeted as I got my car out by the sound of a robin - Dawn Chorus or a Christmas special - don’t know but it was a joy to hear!