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

[vinteuil]

... today first swifts of the year here in Shepherd's Bush



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[oddoneout]

The farm at my former workplace provides rides in a trailer pulled by a tractor so visitors can see the animals and the further reaches of the site. Wagtails are very much part of the scene, scurrying around on the tracks and verges, having learned I think that insects are flushed out as the vehicle goes by. Yesterday I was shown where they had taken their relationship even further. A pair had made a nest behind the wheel arch on top of the tractor gear box, not at first noticed by staff. The fact that the tractor continued to be used for the circuits of the farm didn't seem to be a problem to them, with eggs being laid and hatched. The parents have got the hang of the routine and wait at the loading/unloading bay with a beak-full of goodies to feed the chicks, then when the tractor starts up know to move away. The fledglings must have learned early on to cling to the nest, as it isn't a smooth ride!

[Ian Thumwood]

I am currently in Doha which is really disappointing for birds. Most of the birds are evasive Common Mynahs and white eared bubuls.

I went to Al Bidda Park yesterday in the off change of seing an elusive Hoopoe. Did not mange to see them but did see a Red Backed Shrike and a Delicate pinia. Both were new ticks for me but off to Purple Island nature reserve tomorrow....assuming a can convince my partner to stay away from the shopping malls the proliferate Doha.

[Padraig]

The farm at my former workplace provides rides in a trailer pulled by a tractor so visitors can see the animals and the further reaches of the site. Wagtails are very much part of the scene, scurrying around on the tracks and verges, having learned I think that insects are flushed out as the vehicle goes by. Yesterday I was shown where they had taken their relationship even further. A pair had made a nest behind the wheel arch on top of the tractor gear box, not at first noticed by staff. The fact that the tractor continued to be used for the circuits of the farm didn't seem to be a problem to them, with eggs being laid and hatched. The parents have got the hang of the routine and wait at the loading/unloading bay with a beak-full of goodies to feed the chicks, then when the tractor starts up know to move away. The fledglings must have learned early on to cling to the nest, as it isn't a smooth ride!

Perfect story - you watching wagtails, and wagtails watching you, all closely observed and written.

[Ian Thumwood]

Not seen a Marsh Tit in my garden for about ten years. They used to be regular in Otterbourne but I still get about 15 species each week. Total number of bird species is high thirties.

Does anyone else here do rhe BTO garden birdwatching survey each week?

[Serial_Apologist]

Not seen a Marsh Tit in my garden for about ten years. They used to be regular in Otterbourne but I still get about 15 species each week. Total number of bird species is high thirties.

Does anyone else here do rhe BTO garden birdwatching survey each week?

Our garden surrounds our T-shaped block of flats, so I am not able to get a view of its entirety. I'm not convinced that the criteria can present a uniform number of species for observation for this, among other reasons, and therefore do not participate.

[Ian Thumwood]

Love the citizen science aspect of the BTO Garden birdwatch as you note changes over seasons and years.

Same with birdwatching in my patch. You can suss out where you can see Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat or Blackcaps etc etc.

[Serial_Apologist]

Love the citizen science aspect of the BTO Garden birdwatch as you note changes over seasons and years.

Same with birdwatching in my patch. You can suss out where you can see Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat or Blackcaps etc etc.

The first sentance would depress me - the reduction to none of the cheeky cockney sparrer, the near disappearance of the starling and jackdaw, the effective take-over by carrion crows (much as I respect their intelligence), magpies and (in parts nearer the Thames) of seagulls. That said there have been a few compensations that would have astonished anyone living within 7 miles of Traf Sq not long ago - the appearance of (both?) varieties of woodpecker, jays, and even a cuckoo singing in the nearby wood, someone told me the other day.

[CallMePaul]

... today first swifts of the year here in Shepherd's Bush



.

I used to see swifts regularly in the Chapel Allerton and Meanwood areas of Leeds and also around Gorton Reservoirs in Manchester. Unfortunately that was some years ago and they seem to have disappeared from both areas.

[vinteuil]

The first sentance would depress me - the reduction to none of the cheeky cockney sparrer, the near disappearance of the starling and jackdaw, the effective take-over by carrion crows (much as I respect their intelligence), magpies ....

... still quite a fair number of house sparrows, dunnocks, starlings &c here in Hammersmith

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[AuntDaisy]

For the first time in years, we have great tits nesting... Probably shouldn't have disturbed them, but I couldn't resist taking a photo.
It's lovely watching the busy parents going back and forth.

[Serial_Apologist]

For the first time in years, we have great tits nesting... Probably shouldn't have disturbed them, but I couldn't resist taking a photo.
It's lovely watching the busy parents going back and forth.

We've always had them here around the block, along with blues - nowadays their nests (like those of our wrens and robins) very much at the mercy of the magpies.

[Ian Thumwood]

Been birdwatching at Purple.Island nature reserve. Striated Herons, red backed shrike, crested lark and some waders giving me problems with identification . Maybe lesser sand plover.

Also been watching the Hoopoes at Al Khorr.

[gradus]

Looking up as I drove along a lane this morning I saw a large-ish grey speckled hawk launch from a telephone pole but I couldn't i/d it. It seemed too chunky and ponderous for a sparrowhawk so I'm a bit stuck, any thoughts.

[oddoneout]

Looking up as I drove along a lane this morning I saw a large-ish grey speckled hawk launch from a telephone pole but I couldn't i/d it. It seemed too chunky and ponderous for a sparrowhawk so I'm a bit stuck, any thoughts.

Greyish and speckled could be peregrine, but chunky and ponderous sounds more like a buzzard.