The Bird Thread

Come back! run the hill climb with Paramount CC from my house these days. August 19th next one up Asterton Bank/The Port Way.

Buzzards were mucking about this morning

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Rook visitor today! Ruddy love buzzards. Watched two swooping over today.

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Goosander loosing its shit at lunchtime

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Hen harrier, marsh harrier, Baikal teal, cranes, few thousand regular wildfowl in the bag by 10 am and home before the teenager wakes up, 10/10 Saturday morning

RSPB graylakes before anyone asks

I'm sorry.

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Didn't know they nested in walls!

It's a nesting box, I suppose

Yes the European Brick Buzzard is crtiticalky endangered. Odd given the propensity for modern planning to require brick skins on system buildings. Extensive research has shown its beak cannot cope with cementitious mortar, only lime mortar. It formerly removed the lime mortar then entire bricks to create nesting sites.

Just had an odd encounter with a kestrel, as I turned to pull the door shut on entering our block it had flown into the large open porch area (width of 1 garage and about 2 deep) and realised there was no exit so did an abrupt u-turn about 2 ft from my face the other side of the glass.
Tail fanned out as a brake and it turned and exited as quick as it entered, didn’t see any other bird it had chased in.

Every bird, or every species of bird?

First skylarks of the year on Saturday, first curlews of the year on Sunday. Late Feb strikes me as too early to be sighting either, but I don’t know what’s normal any more.

Both species here year-round.

Blackbirds spotted going to and from the ivy by our shed, had an active nest there a couple years back so fingers crossed they're setting up for this year.

New bird day today down in Devon with a Little Bunting, was with a dozen Cirl Bunting and Sparrows, was eating seed that is put down over winter in a car park to support the Cirl's so could just watch from the car. Was great to be able to observe and get a good look without disturbing.

Closer to home had my first willow warbler of the year a few days ago, with a supporting cast of chiffchaff and blackcap, starting to feel like (a very early) spring

Saw my first mistle thrush today. Exciting.

Some shit phone pics of Kentish marsh spots of late. If you squint hard you’ll see: egret, avocet, spoonbill and marsh harrier.

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Went up to RPSB Rye Meads yesterday, didn't spot the kingfishers but saw some long-tailed tits, an egret, great spotted woodpecker, and a water vole doing gymnastics

https://youtu.be/HNDXaS-PdPo

Shitting Goosander might be my fav thread pic. 🔥👌

Reminds me of a famous Australian man jumping off a boat.

Was at RSPB Arne on Sunday (the home of Springwatch etc now), not many good photos, but was pleased to see a Raven, which I haven't seen for a long while. Loads of chaffinches by the entrance/welcome area, about 30 in one tree.

Emu yesterday

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Was it pining for Rod Hull?

Went to Exmouth in WA a few years back and there were emus (including chicks), just casually walking around the town. Brilliant.

@mespilus it did look a bit mournful...

@ELbowloh that'd be awesome to see I imagine the chicks are quite big too?

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Like I said, not great photos as I only had my phone with me at the time but

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