The Bird Thread

My camera is not really up to spec but doesn't stop me taking it everywhere.

That said. Raptors always humiliate me by making sure I don't have said camera.

There is a law for that.

The odd blue tit

We get loads of blue tits for some reason, must be the feeders my neighbour uses. Peanuts, I caught one in the tree munching on one which I enjoyed.

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This feels like the best place to ask:

Has anyone been to an rspb site where they let you take your bike around to the hides etc so you don’t have to lock up at the visitor centre and leave it out of sight?

Was thinking about South Walney but checked and its wildlife Trust and probably miles away.

Been in hides before and people have brought bikes in to the hides, think it mainly depends on how busy it is, if there is some grumpy regular who doesn't agree etc. Probably easier on the smaller unmanned reserves

I reckon Rainham Marshes would be fine, paths are pretty big and it's never been busy when I've been there

Busy nuthatch today.

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I saw a long tailed tit on the bird feeder earlier today, first time I've seen one here. I was going to try and take a photo but by the time I'd got my phone out it was gone.

They love fat balls, and where there's one there're usually many, I think the collective noun is a Cloud of LTT's.

(Edit: #mansplaining acknowledgement, sorry)

No need to apologise, I didn't know any of that. It was feeding from a fat ball.

Did the last two sections of the London Loop on Saturday and saw some terrific birds: Cetti's and sedge warblers, lapwing, kingfisher, cormorant, heron, what I reckon was a wren and - the pinnacle - a little owl. The latter was pointed out to me by a geezer with a massive camera who was there specifically to spot birds, who lent me his binoculars so I could see it. Never seen an owl in the wild, so that was great. Also plenty of long-beaked wading birds I couldn't identify.

There is a little owl in CP park but I have never seen it, mainly because I’m an armchair birdwatcher and like to be in the warm reclining in a chair with an array of snacks and drinks to hand while observing the wildlife.
This morning was the return of the local nuthatch busy on the oaks outside the window.
I do want to see a waxwing though so would endure some cold/discomfort to get a look at one of those.

CP? Clissold?

Crystal Palace

Thanks (and Greentricky) - essentially I was wondering about specific experiences of it being fine, so I can leverage it with the places by me 😅 pulburough brooks is a fun ride from mine, but don’t fancy carting a big enough lock to feel happy leaving the bike out front.

I’ve also divided a gravel tour de Sussex wildlife trust, though most of that is without visitor centres or any real structure

Oh. LoL

Prob a bit far away, but they have specific bike paths and part of an NCN route around Pagham reserve, Medmerry etc.

Had a nice day watching birds, on Friday. Took the train to Cheshunt, walked through Lea Valley Park to Waltham Abbey, and then back down the river to Tottenham Hale.

The herons and cormorants were busy, and I recorded a Water Rail on my bird ID app.

Also got sworn at by an angry bloke on a bike because I stood out of his way on the wrong side of the towpath.

It's just a train over to chichester tbf, I've spent a bit of time at Pagham – the sort of seawall thing is pretty awesome for things sheltering during winter

This isn't too far from there, one of my favourite places.

https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/farlington-marshes-nature-reserve

Just this second had a proper look at the ravens through binoculars, bit difficult to tell them apart from the crows but the longer tail and size gives them away plus they seem a bit more agile in flight. I heard them yesterday while outside, they have a low croak which is different from the crow.

Cronk cronk cronk = Raven
Caw Caw Caw = crow
Yip yip yip = jackdaw

This isn't too far from there, one of my favourite places.

Same for me, you must be relatively close. Love going to far mar, there are rumours that owls are hidden in the corner by the tern section, not that I've seen any!

Too late for me to ninja edit the edit!

hopefully you'll get more along too.

Ravens will also barrel roll, had one doing it at the weekend, funny seeing such a big bird flying upside down