Bird Watching a Relaxing Hobby

[Andy the Sheep]

Thank you Tim. They should have been Buzzards; in fact, they were at least 4 when I spotted them but just 2 disappeared behind the mountain 15 minutes later... probably looking for some privacy.
Nice to know that probably there will be some new young buzzards very soon.

 

[Ian M]

We get those over our garden as well. They circle round for ages sometimes. Only flying off if I go to get the camera!
We get Sea Eagle fly over once in a while. BIG bird!!
Sunday morning we had ten or twelve Crane just outside the garden, warming themselves in the morning sun after a frosty night.
Surprised how big they are too.

 

[Tim Marlow]

We get those over our garden as well. They circle round for ages sometimes. Only flying off if I go to get the camera!
We get Sea Eagle fly over once in a while. BIG bird!!
Sunday morning we had ten or twelve Crane just outside the garden, warming themselves in the morning sun after a frosty night.
Surprised how big they are too.

You are a very lucky man….never even seen a sea eagle…..

 

[Lee W]

There's some awesome pics of our feathered friends.
I work at a local recycling centre, we have buzzards, the odd red kite and then we have this little fella...



Amazing to watch the silent assassin!

 

[Lee Drennen]

Wow some great stuff you guys are posting. I have a few Cooper hawks around here they are very good at keeping the Rats and mice population to non existent. Here’s on perched on my fence post right behind the house I took a couple years ago. I love having them around to help with the Rodents.

 

[Bugatti Fan]

Not a bird watcher, but at the moment enjoying seeing the blue tits going in and out of the nesting box right outside my front window.

 

[tigersteve]

Back in Marlow again for a while - another chance to capture my favourite Red Kites!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Nice shots Steve.

 

[spanner570]

We now have a pair of resident Collar Doves. Semi tame and ruling the garden.

"Be careful, there are two of us!"


Cheers.
Ron

 

[therapy]

My poor old Mum got a bit of a shock earlier when a sparrowhawk grabbed a collared dove and decided to deal with it on what she calls 'the bridge' which is a bit of raised decking outside her sitting room. I'm amazed she managed to capture it....




Pics aren't the best, but not bad for an 83 year old on the spur of the moment....

Nick

 

[tigersteve]

Well done Mum, my Mum is also 83 and wouldn't have a clue! ( Hope it wasn't one of Ron's )

 

[Tim Marlow]

Cracking shots both. Love collared doves, but not sure I could eat a whole one. Bit big for a sparrow hawk as well. That one must be at the top of his game.

 

[stillp]

Can I borrow your mum's sparrowhawk please?
Pete

 

[spanner570]

Nick, I'm sending over my Collared Dove to deal with your mum's bird assassin.

I can't just yet 'cos it's practicing hypnosis.....and it daren't move!


Cheers.
Ron

 

[Bugatti Fan]

The Collared Doves are OK. Maybe a few more Sparrow Hawks in towns might sort out the feral pigeons that c..p all over everything.

A Sparrow Hawk took a Blackbird in my garden about two years ago. A bit gruesome, but that is nature.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Ferals (real name Rock Doves, by the way) are too fast and big for sparrow hawks Noel….you need Peregrine Falcons. It‘s exactly what they evolved to eat…..trouble is, they like living on cliffs, and there aren’t many cliffs in town……so all the rock doves moved in!

 

[Bugatti Fan]

Ferals are actually Rock Doves. You live and learn Tim. Didn't realise they were a bit too big and elusive for a Sparrow Hawk.

Incidentally some time ago I watched an interesting program on TV about Peregrines living and breeding quite happily in London on high buildings as Artificial Cliffs.
Like the mathematician character played by Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park said 'Nature finds a way.'

 

[Tim Marlow]

Ferals are actually Rock Doves. You live and learn Tim. Didn't realise they were a bit too big and elusive for a Sparrow Hawk.

Incidentally some time ago I watched an interesting program on TV about Peregrines living and breeding quite happily in London on high buildings as Artificial Cliffs.
Like the mathematician character played by Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park said 'Nature finds a way.'

Certainly does Noel. There are a very well known TV star pair that live on Salisbury cathedral

 

[Lee Drennen]

Last week the Wren that always returns every year finished her nest under the awning on my Garage door and has layed her Eggs. I’ll keep you guys posted. Last year I just happened to be there when a Crow got her eggs No crow problem this year

 

[Dave Ward]

There have always been wrens nesting in our garden - which backs onto a stream ( although it is actually called a river! ) - there seem to be four or five at the moment! I've never been able to get a picture of them - I'm just not quick enough!!
Dave