Herman 9,767 Posted March 27 Why do Blackbirds **** on their own food table? The Robins are well house trained but t'others are right old slobs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FenwayFrank 2,459 Posted March 27 On 20/03/2024 at 16:45, Herman said: There was a lovely Lapwing around this morning. Mad little thing. What happened to lapwings? Used to see loads of them but I can't remember the last time I saw one 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,519 Posted March 27 31 minutes ago, FenwayFrank said: What happened to lapwings? Used to see loads of them but I can't remember the last time I saw one They are on the red list unfortunately FF. Fertilisers being a massive issue (nitrogen heavy) and the switch away from mixed farming to pure economic arable land. We get a just a few up north around where I live (you hear them often before seeing them - a lovely sound too) and there are sheep fields everywhere but crucially a there are a few bits of moorland and mixed grassed areas nearby. You'll see foam though in the local gills and streams because of all the fertiliser and feed the farmers use. The higher water table doesn't help over the last few months either in that respect. A lot of ducks and inland seagulls seem to have replaced them. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dylanisabaddog 4,929 Posted April 4 On 27/03/2024 at 18:25, FenwayFrank said: What happened to lapwings? Used to see loads of them but I can't remember the last time I saw one The only time I see or hear them these days is in the Peak District, particularly on the western side. I walked the ridge to Shining Tor last summer and there were lots. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pockthorpe 531 Posted April 5 More Newts in my pond. Bloody love newts . 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Ryans Express 32 Posted April 7 There were lapwings in the fields alongside the Acle straight this morning.Not many,mind you… 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dylanisabaddog 4,929 Posted April 9 First time I've seen this sort of fungus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daldinia_concentrica 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,415 Posted April 10 55 minutes ago, Herman said: Gordoni's alive!! Blimey! He's a survivor. Did we decide what sort he was? He was an import wasn't he... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,767 Posted April 10 20 minutes ago, Wings of a Sparrow said: Blimey! He's a survivor. Did we decide what sort he was? He was an import wasn't he... Yeah, he's an Italian. A lady at work found another one "imported" inside a load of plants. 😬 The Common lizard popped out a few ago but has disappeared again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dylanisabaddog 4,929 Posted April 12 I keep a record of the annual arrival of House Martins. Should be in the next 10 days. If anyone sees one please let me know. Thanks! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ricardo 7,395 Posted April 12 The BTO. Cuckoo tracking site shows the first Cuckoo's have flown the Sahara and are now in Morocco. The should starting arriving in the UK next week. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,519 Posted April 12 We get Cuckoos in early May normally so it's good to read they're on track! Maybe earlier in the South of England. My elderly neighbour asked me excitedly last week "Did you hear the Curlews arriving?" And I had just seen a pair over the fields on the dog walk. You can't miss them because of that amazing song well before you see them. I think they either come from Scandinavian countries or from our coastal areas to come inland to breed. The local farmer expects 1800 lambs and that is just his flock. Last year the fields were full. He is is working through the night with his son. The fields are still very wet but hopefully some Spring warmth is coming. Edit: photo from last year.(Start of June, when the lambs had grown quite a bit). Just one small field of about 30 adjacent. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,767 Posted April 15 Blimey, very heavy sleet showers down here today. Just what the fresh spring growth needs!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yellow Fever 3,786 Posted April 15 On 12/04/2024 at 10:07, ricardo said: The BTO. Cuckoo tracking site shows the first Cuckoo's have flown the Sahara and are now in Morocco. The should starting arriving in the UK next week. I must admit haven't heard a cuckoo for a long time. I'm sure they must of been much more common in my youth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,415 Posted April 15 On 12/04/2024 at 10:07, ricardo said: The BTO. Cuckoo tracking site shows the first Cuckoo's have flown the Sahara and are now in Morocco. The should starting arriving in the UK next week. Some already been seen. Locally as well 👍 I think Strumpshaw fen was one... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,415 Posted April 15 I saw a swallow at Burgh Castle yesterday 👍 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,767 Posted April 17 On 10/04/2024 at 18:59, Herman said: Gordoni's alive!! ...Gordon's alive too. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 4,300 Posted April 17 On 07/04/2024 at 13:21, John Ryans Express said: There were lapwings in the fields alongside the Acle straight this morning.Not many,mind you… The last time I saw a significant flock was on Halvergate marshes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 4,300 Posted April 17 Pair of blackbirds on the bird table this morning, feeding two already fledged youngsters. That seems very early to me. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,767 Posted April 17 21 minutes ago, horsefly said: Pair of blackbirds on the bird table this morning, feeding two already fledged youngsters. That seems very early to me. Same here. We have a couple hopping about the shed. The blackbirds are flourishing this spring. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Apples 1,320 Posted April 20 Chiffchaffs, Skylarks and Yellowhammers all singing away. Only one Swallow and still no Cuckoos so far. Apples 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nik Vawn 129 Posted Tuesday at 19:44 (edited) https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/new-sodium-battery-capable-of-rapid-charging-in-just-a-few-seconds-385976 Could be a bit of a game changer Edited Tuesday at 19:44 by Nik Vawn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,767 Posted Tuesday at 20:01 On 17/04/2024 at 10:10, horsefly said: Pair of blackbirds on the bird table this morning, feeding two already fledged youngsters. That seems very early to me. We lost one of the chicks. All that was left was a pair of wings.😲 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 4,300 Posted Tuesday at 21:49 1 hour ago, Herman said: We lost one of the chicks. All that was left was a pair of wings.😲 That's a shame. Fingers crossed for the remaining one. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MooreMarriot 310 Posted Wednesday at 19:36 Saw something on the front lawn today which I know happens but have never witnessed before. A magpie had pinned a blackbird to the ground and was beating it to death with it's beak before flying off with it. Difficult to like magpies , especially since they have moved into urban areas. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Raptor 1,211 Posted Thursday at 23:29 Saw a couple of kites circling high above the parents allotment the other day when they roped me into mowing/digging duties. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nik Vawn 129 Posted yesterday at 06:31 (edited) Had hedgehog / hedgehogs grunting and snorting in the garden last night, hoping to get them to occupy the hedgehog house we have put down for them. Have been putting out mealworms for them to eat as we thought that was the right thing, but have discovered that it is bad for them and can lead to a form of brittle bone disease due to the mineral balance in the mealworms. Just a shout out as we were blissfully feeding with this thinking we were doing the right thing. A photo taken a few nights ago. Edited yesterday at 07:43 by Nik Vawn 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,519 Posted yesterday at 07:12 Great photo that @Nik Vawn.....the timing! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
