I understood you can see skylarks all year round and as they eat insects and seeds, and the weather has been mild, they are still being very active. Our previous house was on a golf course and the skylarks were numerous.
hi Brenda
I have to say I have never seen or heard Skylarks expect in the Spring/Summer time
Maybe they like to keep a low key at certain times of the year,
It is good that their presence is still around even at this time of year.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Just checked RSPB and they say skylarks can be seen all year round. They will not be display flying and therefore not singing so much. Maybe they have favourite places for the winter, where there are winter crops. I also read that there has been a lot of research and co-operation between farmers and the RSPB in Cambridgeshire, which also mentions the growing of summer and winter crops with the skylarks in mind. It also mentions how many more skylarks are seen in coastal areas, which is where I used to see them as the golf course I mentioned was a 'links course'.
Maybe one of our RSPB experts can say something.
HI Blackbird
Sounds like you had a lovely day - hope you get a second chance when you come back for the car.
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Hi Brenda
Thank you for doing a bit of research on the subject of Skylarks. i have to say that it is one bird I have not really got to know as a species, and it is good to get a chance to find out more about them and their habits.
Interesting to know that they are around, but in particular areas. I could imgine them liking golf course because it would be like an open field to skylarks and that is what they like. So it looks although Skylarks are finding alternative wintering places to go - and that is a good thing as they are set in one type of area. It makes them more adaptable. Good news about the research issues too.
As you said Brenda, love to know more from anyone in the know here {smile}
Kezmo: Thank you, and yes I am looking forward to this weekend/and/or next weekend now. Just have to be patient now,
That's interesting about the skylarks! I'm sure I've never heard them in the autumn / winter before! We have quite a few in Shropshire fortunately!! :-)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
Hi MarJus
i have looked a bit further into the Skylarks habits and this is what I came up with to add to your other posting.
The birds could be migrants and passing overhead, or it could be a resident bird. They are also are known around coast lines and cann be heard singing. Their song is not as strong as the spring time, and they hold territories too.
MarJus That's interesting about the skylarks! I'm sure I've never heard them in the autumn / winter before! We have quite a few in Shropshire fortunately!! :-)
hi there
Well it looks although we are going back to Manningtree to pick up the car this weekend 7th/8th November so that is good news
Titchwell wil no doubt be on top on our agenda but we will go to optional places too.
Dave has booked another hotel and I hope that it is a good place to stay, and the weather is good - so we shall see.
Cannot wait to do a little more bird watching - make up for lost time during the summer months
Hello Blackbird
Back to Titchwell?
Have added some notes in the Bird List thread which may be of interest.
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
Hi ND
Thank you for your information on the other thread
Yes, it is back to Norfolk ance more, and this time we are staying at Hunstaniston {sp}
I have to admit I love Norfolk and the thing that attracts us most of all is the scenary and the bird life. You never get the same bird life inland at all - not even at Rutland or Grafham.
Like many have said Titchwell never disappoints, at all, and there is alwasy something to see and talk about on each visit there.
I would love to see a Juvenile Spoonbill and it would be interesting to see. Is it a migrant or a resident bird? The Snow Bunting would be another nice addition to the bird lists. Have they quite dark feathering at this time of the year?
We had Bramblings on our feeders last year, but we have not seen any this year so far. They never hang about for too long. Lovely birds, and a welcome visitor over the winter months.
It was good of you to send me the BTO link, and I will have a really good look at it. It will be useful for enquires from other people, their responses and reports, and i would be happy to add to it too for future information.
Thank you, and speak again
Norfolk Dipper Hello Blackbird Back to Titchwell? Have added some notes in the Bird List thread which may be of interest.
.
Spoonbill, although not a common bird (yet), is still quite a regular visitor to the Norfolk coast. Several reports each year and they often hang aroung for a few days/weeks. I think these are usually juveniles and non breeding birds probably from the continent (Holland?).
Not aware of any recent breeding activity in this area but remember a recent report of a succesful pair in the UK, I think Spoonbill is one of those species that is likely to breed here sooner rather than later if the habitat is suitable.
They can appear at almost any time of year but spring and summer are most common, and if you require proof that we have suitable habitat then you only need to look at these pictures (If you get views like these you really will be lucky) of the birds that spent several weeks at Cley this year, I think the maximum count was a very impressive 13
http://www.birdguides.com/bne/details.asp?thread=552551
Thank you for your informative information here
It is interesting to find out that there are few more exotic speices in the UK, living on our shoreline. If they are resident non-captive birds all the better.
At least Spoonbills are easily seen due to their colouration, and they will stand out like a sore thumb. Strange that they seen to like to keep their head under their wing, and stand motionless as they do. As you say you like to see the head sometimes too.
I was on holiday at Menorca, Spain this year and I was told that there is an influx of Flamingo's in the winter months over-wintering on the island. There are some good food efficent habitats for them. Strange how you associate a certain type of bird in a certain country but it is not always the case.
Maybe I have seen too many wildlife programmes LOL
I have joined the Birdguides links, and will find it very useful now and in the future months ahead. Great views of the Spoonbills to be had and I will add my quota too.
Norfolk Dipper Hello Blackbird Spoonbill, although not a common bird (yet), is still quite a regular visitor to the Norfolk coast. Several reports each year and they often hang aroung for a few days/weeks. I think these are usually juveniles and non breeding birds probably from the continent (Holland?). Not aware of any recent breeding activity in this area but remember a recent report of a succesful pair in the UK, I think Spoonbill is one of those species that is likely to breed here sooner rather than later if the habitat is suitable. They can appear at almost any time of year but spring and summer are most common, and if you require proof that we have suitable habitat then you only need to look at these pictures (If you get views like these you really will be lucky) of the birds that spent several weeks at Cley this year, I think the maximum count was a very impressive 13 http://www.birdguides.com/bne/details.asp?thread=552551
Hi,
Buckingham press do a staggeringly good guide to birding in Norfolk by Neil Glenn- it's on sale at Titchwell RSPB shop and worth every penny- I recommend it to any visitors I have up here. :))
S
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