Blogs

Hi, Unfortunately the American duck double act didn’t turn up at Saltholme as predicted in January, however the water rails and bitterns didn’t let me down, with frequent sightings of these two reedbed specialists throughout the month. So, how about February? My three predictions are...

Did you take part in the RSPB's BIg Garden Birdwatch ove the weekend? Did you record the numbers of birds you would normally expect to see? This is a section of the press release that the RSPB issued,in response to the many people asking us where the garden birds have gone this year; Big Garden...

You may think that you're seeing more birds around your WildSquare than usual, and you'd be right. The blackbird is one of Britain's commonest garden birds and the chances are you'll see one when you do your survey. Many blackbirds are local and will stay in the same area all their lives...

Some people go away for Christmas, others stay at home. Ever wondered what birds do during winter? 'On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... two turtle doves ...' An extravagant gift by anyone's standards, especially when you take into account the gold rings and...

Hi Knewmans and welcome to the forum You might be interested in reading the thread here It is worth reporting the blackcap on Birdtrack this will help monitor the numbers of this plucky little bird. From ringing recoveries the BTO have learnt that many of the wintering blackcaps arrive from Europe...

Phew...it was a a really busy weekend at The Lodge and we are just getting our breath back! Over 2,800 visitors came to the reserve to visit the Christmas Fayre, enjoy the trails and spot some good birds in mostly sunny conditions. The osprey was seen on both days, on one occcasion directly over the...

Today's walk around the whole of Forge Mill Lake (which is actually on a bit over a mile) provided loads of different birds to be enjoyed. Before we had even started walking we were greeted by the sound of an angry Mistle Thrush outside the temporary centre as well as the ever present irritable...

I've just found this thread and that's a really good question and one that I don't know the answer to! In flocks the adult birds tend to take the lead and the younger birds follow, especially in migrating flocks like cranes, swans and geese, but for fieldfares it's not as obvious. I would...

It seems the osprey may still be in the area, we have heard from Steve Blain the Beds County Recorder that it was reported flying towards the reserve on two occasions on Sunday the 6th and it ( must be the same bird surely!) was spotted at Grafham Water on the 8th, so it's still happy hanging out...

It seems that the juvenile osprey has now decided to continue its migration as we haven't had any reports since the 4th November.This is the latest date for an osprey to be seen in Bedfordshire;the previous record was at Southill Park on 28 th October 1976 where up to four had been seen during the...

Its been something of a purple patch for birds on the Havergate reserves for birds over the last week or so. The highlights include a rough legged buzzard (twice), a short eared owl, a couple of hen harriers, a firecrest, two whooper swans and at least one spotted redshank. There has also been some...

Hi all, not sure if this has been mentioned on here or not but I was just reading one of the chicks from the Dyfi migration diaries and its seems that Einion has had a bit of an adventure at sea! Thankfully after 29 hours on the wing he made it back to land not far from where he started! You can follow...

Excitement, or a false start for Rothiemurchus? Data in this afternooon east of Lancaster, 90kms from his start point today!

Despite the feint hope of an Indian summer, the last few days of high winds, heavy rain and chilly temperatures have a much more autumnal feel. For those of you who like me are struggling to believe September is here already, there are a few stark reminders that are starting to ram this home with leaf...

Cirrus and ShielaFE: I edited the original posting, earlier this morning, about R & B with another map showing Rothes' three fixes on the 21st August, they are all dotted around the ponds, a few hundred metres away. If there had been a fix miles away, LG would have added it I am sure, so my logic...

For those who missed it, very probably, Beatrice and Rothes have met on the banks of the Gironde, at the sturgeon farm, on 21st August. See here .

Newsflash from the Gironde ...... when two ospreys meet. "When two ospreys meet ... Rothes, the Scottish osprey stationed for weeks near Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde had the company on August 21, of Beatrice, an adult Scottish female also equipped, with a satellite beacon, who flew by at 14.00hrs over...

Hi all As we are now at a time when most of the satellite tagged birds are starting their journeys, or in some cases well on their way to their wintering grounds, here are the links to these projects. Northern Bald Ibis Loch Garten Ospreys BTO cuckoo's Mull white-tailed eagles If...

In a classic of autumn migration this Wheatear was photographed just a few feet from the Snow Bunting on the same day. The Wheatear is summer migrant, and a pretty late bird heading south for the winter. The short grass and gravel of the car park provided good feeding - I watched it take a sizeable...

Brent geese (Branta bernicla) heading into Poole Harbour over Shipstal Point at Arne, Dorset, UK. 07/11/10.

Brent Geese (Branta bernicla) at Shipstal Point, Arne, UK. 07/11/10.

A group of Barnacle Geese arrive on the reserve from the north.

A drift of swifts crowds - in rows - on a roof of a house - Why that one roof ? No loft insulation? They take off and swirl around the end of the pier - preparing for migration. Of course they gather on a southerly point in the UK - Eastbourne.

It was hard to believe that such a small, delicate bird would soon be flying out over Land's End and across the sea. No wonder it didn't seem in a hurry.