[Misc] The Official NSC Bird Spotting Thread.

[Bodian]

Not often I get to see Skylarks close enough to photograph - nice one from this morning, but couldn't quite focus clearly as it was quite hazy.

Saw a couple of lapwings yesterday as well.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Just been to a talk in Bridport about swifts (it's a "swift town").

Fascinating birds. I don't recall seeing them when I lived in Hove, but in West Dorset, they are everywhere. So fast and agile. They spend 9 months of the year on the wing. Astonishing.

 

[Blue3]

Just taken up bird spotting got my RSPB pocket guide a nice pair of beginners binoculars never been that interested but walking our new puppy along the river daily I have begun noticing some fascinating birds without any clue what they were well that’s about to all change so far seen sand pipers, ringed plover, oyster catchers, turnstone, little egret, black swan what that’s doing here I don’t know, grey heron, coot, gulls lots of gulls

 

[BrightonCottager]

Just been to a talk in Bridport about swifts (it's a "swift town").

Fascinating birds. I don't recall seeing them when I lived in Hove, but in West Dorset, they are everywhere. So fast and agile. They spend 9 months of the year on the wing. Astonishing.

I've not heard them yet in Brighton. They normally turn up around the middle of the month but a bit later if there are northerners [autocorrected]... northerlies. Hopefully next week. There's another thread on here about swifts, but it's fridat.

 

[Diablo]

Just seen a pair of Ducks.......they looked to me to be Black Bellied whistling Ducks...Is this possible on the brooks near river ouse Rodmell Nr Lewes.

 

[Zeberdi]

Just seen a pair of Ducks.......they looked to me to be Black Bellied whistling Ducks...Is this possible on the brooks near river ouse Rodmell Nr Lewes.

They will almost certainly be Egyptian Geese but good description as they are related.

Only place you are likely to see Black Bellied Whistling is at Arundel WWT or other exotic wildfowl collections. Their wings are clipped so unlikely to escape.

Egyptian Geese also non-indigneous (originally escapes) but there are sustainable wild populations in the UK now:

Specieswatch: Egyptian goose

Paul Brown on an immigrant from Africa that, having first established itself in the Norfolk Broads, is now breeding successfully elsewhere in Britain and is clearly here to stay

www.theguardian.com

 

[mikeyjh]

Just taken up bird spotting got my RSPB pocket guide a nice pair of beginners binoculars never been that interested but walking our new puppy along the river daily I have begun noticing some fascinating birds without any clue what they were well that’s about to all change so far seen sand pipers, ringed plover, oyster catchers, turnstone, little egret, black swan what that’s doing here I don’t know, grey heron, coot, gulls lots of gulls

Good ID skills for a beginner, nice one - I'm generally terrible, despite having volunteered for RSPB for nearly 4 years and spending all that time with expert wardens!

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

Not sure if this counts as cheating, but I found this little fella in Zimbabwe. Glossy Starling.

 

[Diablo]

They will almost certainly be Egyptian Geese but good description as they are related.

Only place you are likely to see Black Bellied Whistling is at Arundel WWT or other exotic wildfowl collections. Their wings are clipped so unlikely to escape.

Egyptian Geese also non-indigneous (originally escapes) but there are sustainable wild populations in the UK now:

Specieswatch: Egyptian goose

Paul Brown on an immigrant from Africa that, having first established itself in the Norfolk Broads, is now breeding successfully elsewhere in Britain and is clearly here to stay

www.theguardian.com

Thankyou....They do indeed look to be Egyptian geese . prob mid way in size between mallard and greylag goose !!

 

[Fungus]

Spotted this gorgeous raven yesterday, down on the Lizard. So huge, we assumed it was the silhouette of someone wearing a baseball cap. Rather surreal, but it was happy to pose. We've also started hearing several cuckoos recently.

View attachment EOS-R7-20250509-2227-Enhanced-NR.jpg

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

Not the best photo but here’s a Lilac Breasted Roller having some lunch.

 

[SouthSaxon]

I've not heard them yet in Brighton. They normally turn up around the middle of the month but a bit later if there are northerners [autocorrected]... northerlies. Hopefully next week. There's another thread on here about swifts, but it's fridat.

Had four do a fly-past while I was in the garden today, so they are definitely about. Fabulous birds.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Had four do a fly-past while I was in the garden today, so they are definitely about. Fabulous birds.

And on the red list. They need our help.

 

[Normal Rob]

Is anyone going to this?

Global BirdFair Conserving Nature Worldwide

globalbirdfair.org

I'll probably be there with work.

 

[Boroseagull]

I wonder how many NSC members took part in the Global Birding Day yesterday? I was part of the Andalucia Guiri Team and we entered 9 lists and a total of 76 species for the day. We started at Fuente de Piedra, highlights included 5 Lesser Flamingo amongst the 45,000 Greater Flamingos there this year (amazing what a decent amount of rain produces). Then round to several of the smaller lagunas around Campillos. A good mix of birds from Olivaceous Warblers to Griffon Vultures size wise.

Would be interested to hear about any other members about and about yesterday.

 

[Si Gull]

I wonder how many NSC members took part in the Global Birding Day yesterday? I was part of the Andalucia Guiri Team and we entered 9 lists and a total of 76 species for the day. We started at Fuente de Piedra, highlights included 5 Lesser Flamingo amongst the 45,000 Greater Flamingos there this year (amazing what a decent amount of rain produces). Then round to several of the smaller lagunas around Campillos. A good mix of birds from Olivaceous Warblers to Griffon Vultures size wise.

Would be interested to hear about any other members about and about yesterday.

Didn't know it was global birding day yesterday, so only a casual check locally for Stonechats; they've usually moved off elsewhere by now, but two pairs are hanging around so may breed.

I used to live in the Genal valley, west of Ronda, so Fuente de P, and the Campillos pools were a reasonably 'local' site for the guided bird tours I was involved with. Good to hear that there's enough water for the flamingos, especially the Lesser! I still keep an eye on the water levels in the embalses out of habit.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

People who have been watching the White Storks at Knepp Estate webcam, have spotted a couple of enterprising blue tits who have made their nest within the huge stork's nest. Look to the bottom right of it when viewing on Youtube.

 

[Zeberdi]

Is anyone going to this?

Global BirdFair Conserving Nature Worldwide

globalbirdfair.org

I'll probably be there with work.

May go with work but probably going to Spurn Mig Fest in Sept so not sure I’ll do both. Last time I went which was a few years ago now, I was actually working for the organisers - good fun drinking beers with the Springwatch team etc after hours

Supposed to be WFH today so sat in garden for a while at lunchtime enjoying beautiful weather, Blackbirds singing in my fruit tree, Blue Tits in and out of one of the nest boxes and Red Kite over …
View attachment 201871

 

[Zeberdi]

Blackbird population threatened by virus

Mosquito-borne killer disease threatens blackbirds

The disease has spread great distances, with scientists racing to understand the risks.

www.bbc.co.uk

BTO are monitoring Blackbirds in our gardens so if anyone wants to help - very simple survey in 5 minute slots - results can be inputted directly online

Blackbirds in Gardens

The Blackbirds in Gardens project aims to help us understand how Blackbirds use gardens and the potential effects of Usutu virus.

www.bto.org

 

[Cordwainer]

Solo Swift spotted this am over BN3