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

[ardcarp]

I think I'll pass on the pony....for its own sake.....but great to hear red kites are spreading. Without giving away too much personal info, can you drop a hint as to where you saw it?

[jayne lee wilson]

I think I'll pass on the pony....for its own sake.....but great to hear red kites are spreading. Without giving away too much personal info, can you drop a hint as to where you saw it?

The Woods and Fields in SW Lancs, just W of the main road to Southport....

[ardcarp]

Thanks. Have the RSPB got any reported sightings of red kites in that area?

[jayne lee wilson]

Thanks. Have the RSPB got any reported sightings of red kites in that area?

I'm not in touch with them these days.... so the lone wolf wanders........ try google I guess....

[Joseph K]

It was a bit unusual when I walked down the road not far from where I live and encountered three female blackbirds and managed to get what I'd consider to be quite close to them without them flying away. Later on at the lake I passed a magpie on the path without it flying away! I encounter this sort of thing regularly with robins but generally not other birds. I put it down to the weather - fine light drizzle and an absence of wind.

[Padraig]

It was a bit unusual when I walked down the road not far from where I live and encountered three female blackbirds and managed to get what I'd consider to be quite close to them without them flying away. Later on at the lake I passed a magpie on the path without it flying away! I encounter this sort of thing regularly with robins but generally not other birds. I put it down to the weather - fine light drizzle and an absence of wind.

You sure there's not a 'Francis' in your name, JK? Perhaps JFK?

My bird tale is the discovery of a new arrival. Last week I spotted it. I failed to get the glasses on it but from what I saw and looked up I identified it as a grey wagtail. But then my book described it as usually found near water, a stream even. The colours however stood out -
yellow breast and rear never before noticed in the garden, long tail, and foraging on the ground along the garden wall. When it came back yesterday I got a better look and I claim the grey wagtail as my welcome visitor. But what a glorious shade of grey.

[cloughie]

You sure there's not a 'Francis' in your name, JK? Perhaps JFK?

My bird tale is the discovery of a new arrival. Last week I spotted it. I failed to get the glasses on it but from what I saw and looked up I identified it as a grey wagtail. But then my book described it as usually found near water, a stream even. The colours however stood out -
yellow breast and rear never before noticed in the garden, long tail, and foraging on the ground along the garden wall. When it came back yesterday I got a better look and I claim the grey wagtail as my welcome visitor. But what a glorious shade of grey.

Had one in the garden a couple of weeks ago, Padraig - up to a couple of years ago we had a small pond in the front garden which went as part of a redesigning but a grey wagtail was a regular visitor back then. We regularly have the Pied of the species around but the Grey was a pleasant bonus!

[Pulcinella]

Like Padraig, I suspect, I've often wondered why grey wagtails aren't called lemon-yellow wagtails!

[cloughie]

Like Padraig, I suspect, I've often wondered why grey wagtails aren't called lemon-yellow wagtails!

Perhaps it’s because though yellower than pied wagtails the are greyer than yellow wagtails!

[Serial_Apologist]

Perhaps it’s because though yellower than pied wagtails the are greyer than yellow wagtails!

Try repeating that fast after having a few!

[oddoneout]

I've not often seen the grey but the pied are quite a common sight both at work and in the city, where at the right time of day their tree roosts make a delightful background murmur.
I always think of John Clare's " little trotty wagtail" when I see them as he summed up their movements so well

https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/little-trotty-wagtail-2/

[ardcarp]

For many birds it's the flocking season. We've seen several 'charms' of goldfinches, but today, as I drove along a road near the coast, the sky was momentarily darkened by a massive (i.e. several hundred) flock of seagulls which had been feeding on fields recently 'muck spread'. On the way back, nearing dusk, a dense flock of starlings swirled about in the brisk wind, probably off to join a nearby murmuration. Anyone seen any other species flocking together?

[jayne lee wilson]

As it happens.....

Out in the woods and meadows today, the Fieldfares and Redwings were everywhere, flocks of 30 or 40 crossing between the copses and spectacularly flooded fields, where Gulls and Mallards swam among the grazing horses. There were Goldfinches, Chaffinches and Greenfinches mixing in with the Thrushes too, though as always the Throstles held themselves a little aloof and apart....all were very active and restless as they moved between tree and ground, never staying long ....those wonderful Fieldfare calls filled the air!

I have seen flooded roads, brimming ditches and water meadows as deep and wide as this, but not very often... it was after 36 hours of continuous steady rain...... so wellies only if you venture beyond the suburban boundary, but it was very heavy going underfoot.

[ardcarp]

Thanks for that Jayne. We've been on the lookout for redwings...which we see (at some time) most winters.....but as yet haven't seen any. Maybe it hasn't been quite cold enough yet, in the SW near the sea. Mrs A has seen fieldfares though.

[cloughie]

Around here today birds are really quite vocal - seems like they think it is spring! 10C, I’m sure I saw a sparrow with mossy nesting material in its beak!