BS: Birdwatching 2011

Subject: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 09:17 AM

Here we go again!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 09:21 AM

Hello, Raptor.

We've had Redpolls here lately, along with American Goldfinches, Black Capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Several woodpeckers, Brown Creepers, a Titmouse, among others.

What birds have delighted you this winter?

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 09:33 AM

I'm at a loss this year I'm missing a few that I should have by now including northern srike, red Breasted nuthatch, pine Sisken brown creeper, blue jay, purple finch, house finch, redpolls, dark eyed junco. Its weird.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 09:53 AM

Others in my area have been seeing unusual birds, but not their familiar birds; or if the usual suspects have shown up it's in much lower or much higher numbers. It's interesting to note the patterns over the years.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 10:30 AM

Thats why I do this house list!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 10:34 AM

It's appreciated! It just occurred to me that your bird threads have some of my bird sighting records that I lost in the fire.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 10:54 AM

Where do you live?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 11:13 AM

Maine, USA

The most wonderful sighting was an extremely rare Spoonbill Sandpiper, seen by my husband up the road from us just after a series of severe autumn storms brought several unusual migratory birds. It was a definite id, but we couldn't get a photo.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: EBarnacle
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 11:14 AM

Right now, we have slate colored juncos and white throated sparrows dining on our porch.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 01:53 PM

I love Maine I was in Bar Harbour last year

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 02:30 PM

Hey! How about some punctuation, eh? No Romflomblers yet?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 03:12 PM

Bar Harbor is pretty, especially if you avoid the high-traffic roads. We enjoyed watching the seabirds while we were walking on a beach there.

Here, LH. Punctuation for you, eh...,,,???!!!

Mourning Doves and Chickadees have been busy today here.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 04:31 PM

Chongo is planning to visit Bar Harbour soon and he plans to drink the entire town under the table. How are they about chimps there?

I asked him what birds he had seen in January, and he proceeded to tell me about all kinds of women that he had seen...talked to....etc. I don't think he normally even notices the feathered kind.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 07:01 AM

For 2 afternoons in a row I've been watching a Murmuration of starlings making incredible patterns in the sky on my way home from my job. Against a sunny winter's afternoon sky it was such a stunning sight to see, does anyone know why starlings do this? Individually they are just a plain looking bird, unless of course that is the reason for this display? What gives them the instruction to create the patterns? It's a mystery to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 07:47 AM

Individually, they may look dull from a distance but starlings look great close up, the light catches them and you see their colours - greens and purples. Don't seem to see them here (North Norfolk, UK).

Lately we've had pheasants, blue tits, great tits, wood pigeons, crows, blackbirds, robins in the field and garden.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 07:38 AM

You can have the ones that invade my suet feeders, Jon.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 07:40 AM

I'm in West Norfolk UK, have had some lovely little goldfinches all winter gorging on the sunflower hearts. I've heard they prefer nijer seed, but I've always put sunflower hearts in the feeders, and loads of different little birds like them. Have had starlings too, about six, hoovering up the fat and scraps I put on the lawn. Yesterday heard the great tit singing "Teacher!Teacher!" and the woodpigeon "Doo!Doo! Doo-doo-DOO!" They're obviously feeling perky for the Spring. Hooray! Also a little pied wagtail bobbing about. BUT, tiny, sad pile of fluffy down on the lawn.... the sparrow hawk has been. I know he has to eat too, but grrr! Patsy, isn't that a super collective noun for starlings, murmuration. I seem to remember a Parliament of owls. And a charm of goldfinches.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 07:51 AM

We use sunflower and nijer seeds (and peanuts, at least one seed mix) in feeders. Then there are fat balls, corn for the pheasants, etc.

The goldfinch go mostly for nijer. I haven't seen them over the last week or so but they might be feeding next door - as far as we can make out, some birds do sort of alternate between their feeders and ours.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 08:02 AM

Jon, you're like us, putting out all sorts. We spent a fortune over the winter, dried mealworms, fat slabs, peanuts, robin mix, plus any and all scraps (including the last chunk of Christmas cake which we just couldn't face any more.) But the sight of those poor creatures out in the snow at minus ten, I'm so glad we helped them in our small way. I suppose that in North Norfolk the sea keeps the temp up slightly? Or was it just as cold there as here? Also you must see some super seabirds and marshland types when you go for walks.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 09:52 AM

Well, there's also the poor Cooper's Hawk that's been flying around inside the door of the reading room at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC: click here for story

Hopefully, they'll be able to capture and release him/her without injury.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 10:14 AM

Nigh on a dozen puffed-up Wood Pigeon perching on a nearby tree by night, Blue Tits, Jackdaws, and Magpies by day; and occasionally - http://walkaboutsverse.webs.com/#174.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Yvonne
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:09 PM

Well here in Cheshire we have had lots of Goldfinches after the sunflower seeds.

Plus Starlings, Doves,Great tits and Blue Tits, Bullfinchs and at the bottom of the garden is the Manchester Ship Canal. So this morning we had two mute Swans and a Great Crested Grebe.

We don't do bad but I do envy you people living in Norfolk.
Birding heaven!

Yvonne

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:50 PM

I was out shovelling sh, ah, snow. I was gonna do some bird watching bird watching afterward and I had on sweatpants, pants, t-shirt, sweatshirt, touque, parka with hood, snowmobile boots, snowmobile mits. But, apparently, the birds around here now don't have such winter gear so I am typing this.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:59 PM

Oops.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 02:54 PM

Well, well, well. I have been saving suet since last winter. I threw out some chicken fat from yesterday's roast. Blackie the crow (some know he has a lame mate that can't fly south) wouldn't touch it but the Blues Jays had at it. I threw out some beef fat and Blackie went nuts... he's sitting on the wire outside my office and he keeps flying back and forth, perhaps to get my attention. Of course, he knows better than to caw or get to close to my window.

Also, if he caws, the gulls come... hundreds of them that stay on the roof of a nearby strip mall.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 03:24 PM

Our birds love the suet also, gnu, especially in this bitter cold. I even give an occasional crumbly seed-filled suet block to the chooks when I know severe cold is on the way.

We had a feeder on a windowsill once, years ago. A young red squirrel decided he needed all of the suet block...spat out the seeds, gobbled the fat. By the end of the day he was one fat-slick little fellow. I wonder how long it took him to clean up his coat?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 06:22 PM

It froze pretty hard here, Eliza although I'm not sure what it got down to. I've not got out much over the last couple of years but I do like the Cley/Salthouse area which is about 20-30 minutes by car from here.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 07:42 PM

Took part of the afternoon off from work and chores and just sat in my warm house and watched the birds for almost 2 hours.

The cold weather brings in a few species, especially to the suet, that I otherwise don't often see - pine warblers and yellow-rumped warblers in particular. Mocking Birds are year round here but I only see them at the suet feeder in cold weather. More male bluebirds than usual also. (come to think of it, I don't think I have seen any female bluebirds at the feeders this winter, only feeding on the privet drupes occasionally.)

There is something tasty just under the soil near the front of the lot that brings one Northern Flicker to one, relatively small area, where he will dig and poke intently, often staying in the same spot for several minutes. Seems his back is always to me with I train the binoculars on him, so haven't a clue what it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 04:56 AM

A friend once took me to Minsmere Reserve years ago, she's a very keen birder. And (naturally!) when we arrived a crowd of frantically excited people told us "A bittern! A bittern! It was here about thirty minutes ago!" And we never did see it! But I joined the RSPB there and got a really lovely bird identification book half price as a new member. I also once took some ten year old pupils to Ranworth and there were dozens of thrilled folk photographing a marsh harrier. I pointed it out to the children but all they wanted to know was "Where's the shop please?" Cley and Salthouse are wonderful Jon, many interesting birds there.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:12 AM

Whenever I can I sit and watch out of my window at our bird-lawn where all the feeders are and very rarely see any new birds. But a couple of days ago, walking past that view I caught a glimpse of a rare newcomer to our garden, a Blackcap. Then an hour or so later I spotted another occasional visitor, a Goldcrest, while walking past again!! A watched pot never boils.....

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 07:27 AM

It's true. It's when you least expect it that you see something exciting. I've just got home from church, and on the way, right over my head, flew two wonderful swans. There are a number of lakes near here in the Wensum Valley, and we're used to ducks honking overhead in a V formation morning and evening, but these swans were just magnificent. I'd LOVE to see a goldcrest guru, lucky you!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 09:24 AM

I wonder if Stilly or Raptor would object to combining the two birding threads?

Hey Liz, How are your Tits?(birds 2011)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 09:25 AM

As a bird bander I can tell you the Starling is a greasy bird That is couvered with a smell oil thats hard to wash off your hands.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Cats
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 03:47 PM

the long tailed tits are back in my garden and I have to say I think they are wonderful little birds... rather like apricot cotton wool balls on a black and white stick!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 04:36 PM

Cats, they're one of my favourites!! We do get them, but unfortunately rarely, you're lucky!

Our Robins are all getting very territorial now, claiming particular twigs on the shrubs and getting argumentative. The male birds colours are sharpening up too. Must be spring *grin*

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 04:57 PM

I agree with Janie.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:17 PM

Stilly clarified on the other thread that her intent was not for that thread to be the annual birdwatching thread, (you can read her post on the other thread,) so they really are two separate, though related, threads.

More sparrows today, after setting out a shallow clay drip tray filled with millet. It has alerted more of them to the millet I have been broadcasting. White-throated, and a few that I am pretty sure are chipping sparrows, and one song sparrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:41 PM

so, birds seen from my yard thus far in 2011:


American Goldfinch
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Bluebird
House Finch
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Yellow-shafted Flicker
Pine Warbler
Purple Finch
Red-bellied Woodpecker
song sparrow
Starling
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped warbler

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 12:12 AM

that's amazing, Janie. I envy you!

I have just returned from a trip to Miami and the Everglades. We saw about 60 kinds of birds and a few other animals. Alligator, crocodile, manatee, turtles, and a raccoon.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 02:47 AM

Amazing, the only bird on Janie's list I've ever seen here in Southern UK is the starling, and that's only once!

Though we do have wrens, finches, woodpeckers, doves, sparrows & nuthatch, just not those varieties!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 04:26 AM

Eliza,

To be honest I didn't know that was the word for a collection of starlings, you live and learn!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 06:19 AM

Janie, your list is absolutely fascinating:- chickadee, junco, bluebird, mockingbird, yellow shafted flicker(!) all unknown to me. Will look them up later.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 06:30 AM

Have you seen this clip, Eliza http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8663000/8663139.stm

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 07:41 AM

Sorry, when I saide 'ever seen here in Southern UK', I meant in our garden.....

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 08:02 AM

I would like to see more birds in my garden but seeing as I don't see it much in daylight at this time of year it's a bit of a vain hope.

Anyone have any ideas about audio sources that can help me identify bird night-calls (UK). There must be at least two sorts of owls calling because I've seen barn and tawney owls in the neighbourhood and I think that there may me others.

I'm also getting some other calls that sound more like game birds or plovers at various times of the year.

I don't get many of the usual small garden birds as we are in sheep grasing country, away from other houses with gardens and there are very few hedges or trees around for cover.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 08:12 AM

There are some owl calls if you follow the sound link on this page http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/infopage.html?Id=1

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 08:16 AM

There are also links to calls on the rspb pages, eg http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/n/nightjar/index.aspx

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 08:35 AM

Janie, Yellow rumped warbler I don't get them till
ay Where are you?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 09:00 AM

There's Kiki Birds all over the place this morn. Almost -24C, -39WC at 10AM.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 12:39 PM

Thank you Jon, I enjoyed the booming bittern very much. I just wish I'd arrived there half an hour earlier all those years ago to have seen one for myself! As I remember, they'd deliberately created more wetland areas for the bitterns at Minsmere, and it looks as if they succeeded.