The Bird Thread

No, I'm in Norfolk.

Finally got a grasshopper warbler tonight a few minutes walk from home at dusk, fantastic

They're extraordinary, aren't they? They're right on the edge of my hearing frequency range and there are times when I think I can hear one and then I think maybe it's tinnitus. Hoping to hear some nightjars before too long.

Yeh I don't look forward to getting older and losing that top range of hearing, I see some of the old boys out birding completely oblivious to things I can hear

Just had this message from a birding mate about the stork. (I'm guessing this will relate to your question about being in Knepp):

Stork news, apparently the ringed Knepp bird was a lone bird but recently went to Spain, so it seems the unringed bird it’s now paired to is most probably a wild one?!

Yeah, they've been introducing them at Knepp for a couple of years now and it's been quite successful. We go quite regularly to see them and the rest of the rewilding project.

Love the Knepp project, though I heard the Storks that migrate regularly overwinter on a landfill site just outside Malaga. Sorry if this ruins your view of them in future!

If anything it enhances it.

Mandarin Duck again

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Excuse the shit photo (I didn't want to get closer to not disturb it), but can somebody tell me what's up with this crow?
It just sat there like that, moving its head and its beak from time to time (but without actually making a sound), it felt very weird.. didn't see it being hurt or anything though.

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They sometimes do that on ants nests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anting_(behavior)

Fascinating, thank you for the feedback!

It looks well blissed out.

Don't know if it has been mentioned but I started using the Merlin bird app developed by Cornell University. Tis great. Much reward. Also free.

Merlin bird app

ah, just came here to ask about bird song ID apps.

We are in Orkney which is stunning, and also betraying my deeply limited bird knowledge.

Google is suggesting ChirpOMatic and Merlin.

Get merlin but make sure you have access to location turned on and have downloaded the UK bird pack

It is not perfect but its pretty good, especially for helping you confirm something you can see but don't recognise

Had instant success with Merlin.

ID'd a Skylark from its song, couldn't see it anywhere and had no idea about the song although now I know what it is, it's very distinctive.

This place is absolutely amazing for birds.

Currently having a picnic on Evie Beach with House Martins swooping around us at head height just a few feet away. Can't get worthwhile pics of the birds but here's the general aspect:

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This Merlin Bird ID app was on a friend’s instagram so thought I would give it a try. (EDIT: should have read the above posts!)
It’s awesome and a great identification tool, short walk today and without it I wouldn’t have known there was a tree creeper in the vicinity.

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Today's ID was a Willow Warbler - lovely.

What’s the received wisdom these days regarding feeding the birds throughout the summer months? Reduce the refill rate so they’re fending for themselves a bit more?

I have stopped feeding, interestingly a slight shift in garden visitors including first Bullfinch sighting that I can recall.

What's the rationale for stopping feeding? I don't think I've seen any advice to cut off food, except maybe to think twice about suet products if the weather is hot.

What's the rationale for stopping feeding?

Let them go find & eat what they normally would, insects etc.

Garden pest control, innit.

^ no science at all behind that btw, just gut feel.